ABSTRACT
Salmonid farming was launched in Iceland mainly between 1980 and 1990. Because of harsh weather conditions during winters, circum-year rearing in floating facilities was soon found both technically and biologically impracticable. Rearing in land-based facilities, on the other hand, has been found practicable. So far the land-based farms, however, have not been able to compete economically with floating devices in other countries. Unfinished farms, low rearing temperatures, unsuitable brood stocks, expensive operation financing, monopolised insurance, and diseases, in addition to marketing problems, have contributed to make the land-based Salmonid farming in Iceland a non-profitable affair. At the present conditions, rearing of mostly Arctic char appears lucrative. However, the market for this species is limited.
Future Salmonid farming in Iceland, therefore, demands certain technical improvements of the farms, as well as suitable brood stocks, and improved operation conditions in a broad sense.
