The Averøy Research Station was established in 1973. Broodstock management and roe production were important at the start, as well as research projects and testing. For the first few years, the station also served as the training station for fish farmers from all over Norway. Work carried out at the research station has made a significant contribution to the development and improvements in Norwegian aquaculture.
Controlled trials
Today, activities at the research station are limited to research and the implementation of trials. The main concept is to carry out controlled trials under natural conditions, similar to those at commercial fish farms. The activities vary greatly within the following main areas:
- Comparative feed trials
- Controlled infection trials with lice
- Digestive trials
- Vaccine testing
- Product quality
- Trace elements, pigmentation etc
- Breeding trials
- Technical testing
Feeding trials
This is now one of the most modern stations for carrying out feeding trials. The station has a total of 84 certified experimental units. The majority of trials are implemented in units measuring 5 x 5 x 5 m (125m³). We also have the possibility to monitor waste feed using a camera. Unused feed can be collected to enable exact measurements of the feed intake. The station also features experimental units of 350 m³ and storage units for the experimental fish measuring 2400 m³.
Analyses and sampling
The station has a smaller laboratory for sampling, fixation of samples and simple analyses. The packing room, freezing plant and refrigerated storage room provide the opportunity to test out different processes and methods for slaughter, cooling, packing and freezing from a quality perspective.
On-site apartments and meeting room
The station has on-site apartments for guests and guest researchers. In addition, there is office space and a meeting room (capacity 25 people) equipped with modern audiovisual equipment. The research station currently has a staff of 13 with considerable competence and experience in aquaculture and the implementation of trials.
