OSLO, Norway -- Undercurrent News was reporting live from the Arctic Securities seafood investor show held at the Hotel Continental in Oslo, Norway on Thursday, Nov. 21.

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Arctic Securities conference: Akvafuture looks to Canada due to lack of Norwegian backing; Veramaris to double capacity in US

This year, the third year of the show's existence, the event took particular focus on the current productivity challenges in Norwegian salmon farming, as high lice levels, policy red tape and inclement weather have continued to stymie growth in 2024.

You can read all the main stories from the event below:

More than NOK 20bn in EBIT growth possible for Norway's salmon sector

In a keynote speech, Arctic analyst Christian Olsen Nordby explained how a combination of raised feed raw material prices, reduced smolt yields and an increased share of low-value production grade fish have kept salmon farming margins flat even as the average price has leaped NOK 30 per kilograms on average in the last three years. Click here to read his analysis in full.

Next Norwegian gov't likely to cut salmon tax, scrap price council

With the next Norwegian government likely to be some combination of center-right and right-wing parties if the latest polls are to be believed, Linda Helleland, a spokesperson for the Conservative party, Hoyre, said the sector could expect current tax burdens to be lightened under a new administration. Read more here.

Pharmaq: More widespread vaccine use should reduce wounds this winter

The spreading use of a new vaccine developed by Zoetis subsidiary Pharmaq is likely to cut the number of fish affected by winter ulcers and, thereby, the volume of salmon being classified as 'production fish' next year, according to sales manager Lars Jorgensen. Find out more here.

Mowi: 50% of south, mid-Norwegian harvest to come from post-smolt next year

Kristian Ellingsen, chief financial officer of Mowi, the world's largest salmon farmer by volume, noted the company was on track for a major post-smolt milestone in 2025. Read more here.

Land-based sector at inflection point, says Salmon Evo chief

Trond Schaug-Pettersen, CEO of Norwegian hybrid land-based farmer Salmon Evolution gave a bullish outlook on the future of the sector at a time when volume growth from sea-based farms is stalling. Click here to read more of his thoughts on the sector's future.

Andfjord to release up to 2m smolt into new pools next summer

With four new pools coming online next year, 2025 promises to be a milestone period for Andoya, Norway-based flow-through farmer Andfjord Salmon as it begins to significantly ramp up volumes at its Kvalnes site. Click here for more.

BioMar's possible IPO at very early stage, confirms parent VP

Just over a week ago, Denmark's Schouw & Co. announced that it was looking into listing its feed subsidiary, BioMar Group -- the world's third-largest producer of aquafeed -- as a separate independent company, and the phones have barely stopped ringing since, according to vice president of business development Kasper Okkels. Read more of his update here.

Akvafuture looks to Canada due to lack of Norwegian backing

Akvafuture, a Norwegian manufacturer of closed-containment salmon farms, was forced to turn to Canada to explore growth prospects due to a lack of available sites in Norway and backing from the Norwegian government, CEO Thomas Myrholt explained. Click here for more.

Pelagia to open new mackerel filleting factory next year

Norwegian pelagics giant Pelagia, which commands a third of the country's total pelagic market share, is set to open a new filleting factory in Egersund for single-frozen mackerel next year, according to CEO Emil Haugstad. Read more details here.

Veramaris looks to double capacity as it makes value argument

Dutch algal oil producer Veramaris is in talks to double the capacity of its factory in the US state of Nebraska, global business development director Ian Carr told listeners at the show. Click here for more details and more of Carr's thoughts on the current state of the alternative feed market.