102 NEWS REVIEW – CAGES NETS AND PENS
Cages, nets and pens Consolidation and innovation dominated our news stories for the sector in 2021
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N January, we reported that Norwegian Weather Protection (NWP), which makes industrial seams for aquaculture, agriculture and other sectors was to become part of the FiiZK Group. NWP became FiiZK’s wholly owned subsidiary as from 1 January 2021. NWP’s factory at Frekhaug, outside Bergen, continues to operate as part of FiiZK’s production setup, while functions within sales and administration are now co-ordinated from FiiZK’s head office in Trondheim. Consolidation continued in February with Selstad, the Norwegian aquaculture equipment and services supplier, taking a majority share in net supplier W&J Knox of Scotland. W&J Knox is based in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, and supplies equipment and services to the aquaculture industry along with nets for camouflage, sports and other industrial applications. The company CEO, Hans Petter Selstad, said the alliance offered several opportunities for the two companies and the industry. He added: “We have known W&J Knox for over 20 years and consider their value proposition to the aquaculture industry to be very strong. In combining this with Norwegian knowledge and experience, we believe that we will
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see some very good synergies.” Managing Director of W&J Knox, Dave Hutchens, said he saw the move as “an important chapter in the history of the company”. In April, one of the most unusual cage designs took a step closer to becoming an operating reality, as Hauge Aqua Solutions embarked on the construction of its first “Egget” enclosed fish farm. The contract for building the Egget was awarded to another Norwegian company, Herde Kompositt. The egg-shaped, fibreglass Egget is designed to help solve some of the problems associated with salmon farming, such as lice, escapes and pollution. It was initially a collaboration with Mowi (formerly Marine Harvest), but in February Hauge announced its intention to go it alone after apparently becoming frustrated with the pace of progress. Mowi is continuing to invest on other closed containment systems. Kim Røssland, General Manager and one of Herde Kompositt’s four partners, said: “We look forward to contributing to this major innovative project that will be able
Above: The ‘Egget’ Left: Hans Petter Selstad Opposite: Frank Byrne (L) and Don MacLeod
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