Can you present yourself and your company?

Skretting is a global leader in providing innovative and sustainable nutritional solutions and services for the aquaculture industry. Skretting has production facilities in 18 countries on five continents to manufacture and deliver high quality feeds from hatching to harvest for more than 60 species. The total annual production volume of feed is close to 2.5 million tonnes. Our purpose is Feeding the Future.

Skretting is supported by our Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC). Skretting ARC’s ultimate goal is to see research implemented into commercially-relevant, innovative and sustainable solutions for the aquaculture industry, whether in the form of feed products, methodologies, technologies or manufacturing improvements. We are committed to cultivating close relationships with academic and industrial partners, to be one of the best places to work for world-class researchers and to drive Skretting’s global innovation agenda.

My name is Gunvor Baardsen and I am Manager Quality and Ingredients in Skretting ARC, based in Stavanger, Norway. In the FARMŸNG project, my role has been to provide on-going advice to Ÿnsect to ensure these novel ingredients meet our high standards for use in aquafeeds and to coordinate the upcoming feed trials in salmon from the Ÿnsite facility in Amiens.

How and why did you join the FARMŸNG adventure?

In 2016, Skretting ARC was in contact with Ÿnsect and we started our first internal research on the use of insect meal in feed for fish. When Ÿnsect initiated the FARMŸNG project in 2019, Skretting ARC was invited as a partner. By participating in this project, we get an insight into the latest developments about the commercial production of yellow meal worm meal and oil, and we can provide technical insights to support the commercial development of this ingredient into the aquaculture industry.

What stage of the FARMŸNG value chain are you involved in?

Skretting is a feed manufacturer. When the Ÿnsite facility is completed and has reached a stable production, we are going to test the meal and oil products in trial feeds for Atlantic salmon in Skretting ARC’s trial facilities in Norway.

What is your vision on the aquaculture for the next 10 years?

In a world with limited natural resources and a growing population, there is a rising demand for high quality meat, fish and shrimp. Aquaculture is well-placed to supply this growing need, and feed is an essential link in the feed-to-food chain. At Skretting, we apply our knowledge of ingredients and the nutritional needs of fish and shrimp to deliver optimum value to producers from limited natural resources. We are supported in this position by world class innovation and technical capabilities.

In our 2020 Sustainability report, Skretting CEO, Therese Log Bergjord, said “We are and will always be an ambitious company; it’s our intention to be a driving force in the global aquaculture space, enabling it to reach its full potential as a source of food security. But this is not something that we or anyone else can do alone. Collaboration is essential; as an industry, we are far stronger together than we are alone, and we have a shared responsibility to act.”

What can we wish you for 2021 and for your FARMŸNG adventure?

We will continue to watch the exciting construction progress of the Ÿnsite facility and we are looking forward to receiving some products from Ÿnsite and contributing to our part of the FARMŸNG project.