Akva Group acquires 100% of aquafeed solutions firm Observe Technologies

NORWAY – Leading aquaculture solutions company Akva has acquired 100 percent of the AI-feeding tech firm Observe Technologies to strengthen its position in the digital aquaculture solutions market. 

This acquisition marks a strategic expansion for Akva, which previously held a 33.7 percent stake in the UK-based company. 

With this complete buyout, Akva aims to consolidate its offerings and enhance its capabilities in precision fish farming.

“The acquisition of 100 percent shares in Observe is of great strategic importance to AKVA and will further develop and complement our digital offerings to the market,” said Akva chief executive Knut Nesse, according to Seafood Source.

Akva now provides four digital products: AKVA Fishtalk, AKVA Observe, AKVA Connect, and AKVA Submerged. 

These products offer a comprehensive digital solution designed to improve precision in fish farming.

Hemang Rishi, the chief executive of Observe Technologies, expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition, emphasizing the operational flexibility and development opportunities it presents. 

He believes that Akva’s approach and the operational gains already achieved by Observe Technologies will drive the industry toward more sustainable outcomes.

Solar energy partnership 

This acquisition follows Akva’s earlier initiative in March when the company partnered with Norwegian floating solar company Inseanergy to power fish farming operations in Chile with floating solar energy. 

This partnership aims to reduce fossil fuel consumption and enhance environmental sustainability. Christian Gerardo Schäfer Oyanedel, General Manager of Akva Group Chile, highlighted the potential of Chile’s solar energy for the aquaculture industry, underscoring the commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Through this partnership, Akva aims to promote precision farming with minimal emissions by embracing low-emission and deep-farming technologies. The initiative includes using advanced hybrid battery systems, solar power plants, and control systems tailored for sustainable aquaculture. 

Schäfer Oyanedel emphasized that sustainability is embedded in Akiva’s culture and drives innovation and operations toward cost-effective and sustainable practices.

In addition to the partnership with Inseanergy, Akva Group and Inseanergy signed a letter of intent in January 2023 to supply and integrate green energy solutions for the aquaculture industry. 

Launched in 2020, Inseanergy specializes in renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, and hydrogen and has secured several contracts to supply its floating solar systems to the aquaculture industry.

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