AquaCon AS Announces Major Milestone in Sustainable Land-Based Salmon Farming on the U.S. East Coast
Oslo, Norway, AquaCon AS, a leading Norwegian aquaculture development company, today announced significant progress in its mission to bring large-scale, sustainable, land-based Atlantic salmon production to the United States. With a focus on environmentally responsible technology and domestic seafood supply, AquaCon is advancing new facility plans designed to deliver fresh, high-quality salmon to millions of American consumers.
AquaCon’s projects are powered by advanced Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)—a state-of-the-art method that raises salmon in a controlled, biosecure, land-based environment. This technology eliminates the environmental risks associated with traditional ocean net-pen farming, while ensuring consistent product quality and superior fish welfare.
“Our goal is to redefine the future of salmon farming by combining Norwegian aquaculture expertise with world-leading RAS technology,” said Henrik Johansen, Chief Executive Officer of AquaCon AS. “The U.S. East Coast is an ideal location to provide consumers with locally produced, sustainable salmon while reducing the environmental footprint of seafood distribution.”
Strategic Expansion in the United States
AquaCon is developing multiple large-scale facilities on the U.S. East Coast, designed to serve over 70 million consumers within a short driving radius. Each facility is engineered for efficient, high-volume production, and the company’s long-term development roadmap targets more than 48,000 tonnes of annual output, with the potential to scale above 100,000 tonnes.
The company recently refined its site strategy in Maryland, securing a new development location that better aligns with environmental considerations, community input, and long-term operational goals.
Sustainability at the Core of AquaCon’s Mission
AquaCon’s land-based model incorporates a comprehensive sustainability approach, including:
Up to 99.9% water recirculation using advanced RAS filtration
A zero-waste processing system converting solid waste into renewable and usable by-products
Integration of renewable energy sources, including solar and biogas
Enhanced animal welfare, minimizing disease risks and reducing the need for antibiotics
“We are committed to producing premium salmon with the lowest possible environmental impact,” said Katrine Solvåg, Chief Sustainability Officer at AquaCon AS. “Our model demonstrates that responsible seafood production and commercial scalability can go hand in hand.”
Backed by Global Industry Leaders
AquaCon AS benefits from strong partnerships and investments from major international companies, including:
Nutreco, a global leader in aquaculture nutrition
AKVA Group, a premier supplier of aquaculture technology
Israel Corporation, a key strategic investor
These partnerships provide AquaCon with strong technological, operational, and financial foundations as it scales its U.S. expansion.
A New Standard for American Seafood
AquaCon AS aims to address the rising U.S. demand for traceable, sustainable, locally produced salmon. By producing fish domestically in controlled systems, AquaCon reduces reliance on long-distance imports, cuts carbon emissions, and delivers a fresher product to consumers.
“The future of seafood is local, sustainable, and technology-driven,” said Lars Viken, Chief Operating Officer at AquaCon AS. “AquaCon is proud to help lead that transformation on the East Coast.”
About AquaCon AS
AquaCon AS is a Norwegian aquaculture development company focused on building large-scale, land-based Atlantic salmon farms using advanced Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). The company aims to deliver fresh, high-quality salmon to the U.S. market while prioritizing environmental sustainability and long-term food security.
Mission & Vision
The company’s goal is to:
Solve seafood availability challenges for future generations.
Produce high-quality, sustainable salmon with minimal environmental impact.
Operate near large consumer markets to reduce transport footprint.
Operations
Targets production of tens of thousands of metric tons of salmon annually, with phased expansion of capacity.
Facilities are being planned on the U.S. East Coast to serve markets within about a four-hour trucking radius.
Sustainability Focus
AquaCon emphasizes environmental responsibility by:
Recycling 99.9% of production water.
Producing biogas and solar energy for facility operations.
Converting waste into usable products like soil enrichers or pet food ingredients.
Henrik Tangen
Title: Executive Chairman
Email: ht@aquacon.com
Phone: +47 982 28 511
Website: www.aquacon.com
