Following successful negotiations, Amar Seafood and Otter Ferry Seafish have reached an agreement whereby Amar Seafood has acquired 100% shareholding in Otter Ferry Seafish.

Otter Ferry has been at the heart of innovation in the Scottish industry since 1968. Developing trout farming, land-based salmon farming, as well as salmon broodstock and smolt production before moving into other marine species. As the only commercial marine hatchery in Scotland, it has played a leading role in establishing the production of halibut, wrasse and lumpfish.

Managing director of Otter Ferry, Alastair Barge said, “We are very pleased and excited to entrust the stewardship of this historic company to Amar Seafood. We know them well and have developed a strong supplier-customer relationship that fits well with our ethos of innovation and sustainability. We can clearly see the benefits that Amar Seafood will bring, not just to the company, but to all those involved in the company and the Scottish aquaculture sector as a whole. Otter Ferry has kept the flame alight for halibut as a species over the past 30 years and we now have a company in Amar Seafood that can more than match our vision for this extraordinary product.”

Amar Seafood is no stranger to the fish farming industry and service sector and has recognized the importance of high-value species, such as halibut and wolfish, as market-led opportunities on a global scale.

Chairman of Amar Group, Bjørn M. Apeland, said “We are absolutely delighted with our acquisition. We see Otter Ferry as a Scottish-based international hub supporting our operations in Norway and Canada, both as an advanced hatchery producing increased amounts of quality juveniles and also as a valuable industry agri tech research center. We are committed to a phased expansion of the hatchery to enable us to develop our near-market ongrowing capacity in Scotland, Canada and Norway.

The experienced team at Otter Ferry will continue to manage the business while being complemented with additional expertise from both Norway and Canada.”

“This is an emotional moment for us but, at the same time, a very exciting new chapter for Otter Ferry, and a great day for halibut,” Alastair commented.