Welcome to the official online home of salmon from the Faroe Islands
This is a website of the Faroe Fish Farmers Association (FFFA), which represents the entire aquaculture industry in the Faroe Islands. Here you can gain insight into the Faroese aquaculture industry as a whole and learn about farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands.
The Faroe Islands is a small, remote island group located in the middle of the North Atlantic with a population of less than 50,000 people. Despite its small size, the Faroese aquaculture industry stands out as a boutique producer specializing in top quality Atlantic Salmon. The industry is committed to maintaining the highest levels of fish welfare and sustainability; this is clearly reflected in the high quality of farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands.
The Faroe Islands is the perfect location for premium salmon production. Its remote location is complemented by pristine clear waters, cool steady sea temperatures, strong currents and accessible fjords that cut deep inland. Drawn to this perfect mix of conditions, wild Atlantic Salmon from all over northern Europe make their way north of the Faroe Islands to feed.
The Faroese people have lived off the ocean for centuries and have a deep respect for the ocean and the environment. The aquaculture industry in the Faroe Islands is committed to sustainability and sound stewardship of the environment. The industry worked closely with the Faroese Government to design and implement one of the most stringent aquaculture regulatory regimes governing veterinarian best practices in the world. The goal of the comprehensive legislation was to create the most predictable and sustainable salmon production environment in the world. The legislation ensures strict compliance with the highest level of fish welfare and environmental protection possible. This exclusive veterinary prevention programme has been so effective that farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands are completely free of antibiotics.
The Faroese aquaculture industry has a long and proud history, with roots dating back to 1967. This heritage, combined with ideal natural conditions and a commitment to sustainability and quality, is now being recognized around the world, and salmon from these small islands in the middle of the North Atlantic are exported to six continents. The high demand for farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands, combined with the relative small size of the archipelago and the country’s historic commitment to long-term sustainability, means that Faroese producers have a hard time satisfying demand. Farmed salmon is a vital part of the Faroese economy, representing half of the country’s export and providing valuable jobs for rural communities.
The aquaculture industry in the Faroe Islands is well consolidated, both horizontally and vertically. There are only 3 companies that produce and export farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands. The vertical integration allows producers to have full control over the quality of the salmon from roe to export.
To maintain fish welfare and freshness, it is imperative that the transport time from on-growing site to brood stock station is as short as possible. Due to the small size of the Faroe Islands, these transport times are extremely short, guaranteeing optimal freshness and quality. Although the Faroe Islands is located in the middle of the North Atlantic, fresh salmon from the Faroe Islands can reach the US market within just 72 hours of harvesting.