Aller Aqua, Sterling Halibut advance sustainable feed trials in Norway

NORWAY -Aller Aqua, a leading Danish fish feed producer, and Sterling Halibut, the world’s largest farmed halibut producer, have expanded their long-standing partnership with new feed trials that test insect meal and animal by-products as alternative ingredients. 

The initiative aims to make halibut aquaculture more sustainable while ensuring the production of high-quality fish for global markets.

The collaboration builds on a six-year feed contract signed in 2021, formalizing a relationship that began in 2017. Both companies say the partnership has already delivered tangible results for halibut performance, and the latest trials are expected to take that progress further.

Focus on sustainability

Aller Aqua exports feed to more than 70 countries and is known for developing diets tailored to over 30 fish species. 

By incorporating insect meal and animal by-products into halibut feed, the company seeks to reduce reliance on conventional raw materials while maintaining nutritional quality.

“We have launched a new trial where we are testing animal by-products and insect meal, an important contribution to creating a more sustainable future for the next generations of halibut,” Aller Aqua said.

The testing takes place at Sterling Halibut’s facilities in Norway and at Aller Aqua’s research station in Büsum, Germany. These joint efforts are designed to optimize feed recipes for both juvenile and grow-out halibut, improving efficiency, fish health, and long-term sustainability.

Premium halibut production

Sterling Halibut, managed by Sterling Holding AS, produces around 1,700 tonnes of Atlantic halibut each year from farms in Norway’s Ryfylke fjords. 

The species, endangered in the wild due to overfishing, requires specialized farming techniques and patience, as it takes up to five years for the fish to reach market size.

Sterling oversees the full production chain “from fjord to fork,” including broodstock, hatcheries, feeding, and processing. This system ensures traceability and quality control, producing sushi-grade halibut known for its firm flesh and pure white flakes. 

The fish has featured in prestigious culinary competitions such as the Bocuse d’Or and is exported to restaurants and retailers worldwide.

Magne Torgersen, CEO of Sterling Halibut, said the partnership with Aller Aqua has been crucial to achieving this standard. “Aller Aqua has shown us that they mean it when they say they want to grow together. Their feed quality, but also their input and availability has been key in our decision, and we, therefore, have no queries signing a long-term contract. Together we find solutions and our fish have never been better.”

Shared vision for the future

Both companies stress that sustainable feed solutions are essential for halibut aquaculture to remain viable and competitive. 

By combining Aller Aqua’s expertise in feed innovation with Sterling’s controlled farming methods, the partners are positioning themselves at the forefront of efforts to make aquaculture more environmentally responsible.

As demand for premium seafood continues to grow, the collaboration between Aller Aqua and Sterling Halibut highlights how innovation in feed ingredients can contribute to both industry resilience and global food security.

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