The land based fish farm with Arctic Charr is located close to the Russian border near the northern Norwegian town of Kirkenes. The location was selected because of its clean and cold fresh water resources.
Established two years ago, the fish farm attracted Russian investment and is owned with a 50/50 share between the Norwegian based company Kirkenes Fish AS and the Murmansk based OOO Investcom.
The Arctic charr is marketed under the brand Finnmarksrøye (Finnmark charr) and participated at the annual competition “The Norwegian meal” together with sea products from all over Norway.
Describing the winner, the head of the jury, the Norwegian chef Bent Stiansen, said: - The Finnmark charr delight both the eye and taste. It has a special flavor, and is Norway’s best kept secret.
The Arctic char is closely related to both salmon and trout and has many characteristics of both. It is suitable for fish farming in northern areas because it have low optimum temperature requirements and grows well at the cold water temperatures.
The award to Kirkenes Charr was handed over by the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, Lisbeth Berg-Hansen at a ceremony in the city of Stavanger.
Kirkenes Charr has export license to Russia and have already sent the first test delivery to the growing Russian fish market.
-We will focus more on the Russian market next spring, says Frode Stålsett, General Director of Kirkenes Fish AS.
