Forsmak - Tackling Off-Flavor in Land-Based Aquaculture

Published on 27 November 2025 at 11:51

Tackling Off-Flavor in Land-Based Aquaculture: Morefish’s Role in a New Knowledge Project

Off-flavor in land-based aquaculture has been a well-known challenge for years. Even the most modern RAS facilities can experience sudden outbreaks of geosmin and MIB–producing bacteria, leading to earthy or muddy flavors in fish. This not only affects product quality but can also introduce serious operational and financial risks. Investments in upgraded water-treatment components, changes in system design, or extended purging routines quickly become costly—especially when the root causes of off-flavor vary between sites and are still not fully understood.

A new pre-study called FORSMAK, funded by Distriktforsk, aims to strengthen industry knowledge on why off-flavor problems emerge and how they can be effectively mitigated over the long term. The project brings together a strong partnership consisting of Sintef Ocean, DRIVA Aquaculture, and Morefish as a subcontractor.

Morefish’s Role: Sampling, Mapping, and Knowledge Building

Morefish contributes with practical, field-oriented expertise and plays a central role in generating the data foundation for the project. Our responsibilities include:

1. Sampling and transport for analysis

Morefish conducts systematic sampling of water and biofilm at multiple points within a land-based production system. All collected samples are securely transported to Sintef Ocean, which performs the laboratory analyses and microbial investigations.

2. Knowledge compilation

Together with DRIVA and SINTEF Ocean, Morefish helps prepare a comprehensive knowledge review of existing off-flavor removal technologies. This includes assessing technology readiness levels, identifying practical limitations, and evaluating how existing solutions perform in real production environments.

3. Feasibility study of mitigation solutions

Morefish and DRIVA Aquaculture collaborate on a feasibility and scenario assessment, looking at investment and operational costs, risk profiles, expected removal efficiencies, robustness over time, and spatial requirements for potential technologies.

4. Contribution to the final summary report

Along with DRIVA Aquaculture and SINTEF Ocean, Morefish contributes to the final project report, integrating findings from sampling, technology evaluation, and feasibility assessments.

Why This Project Matters

Off-flavor bacteria will never be fully eliminated from RAS environments—but their prevalence can swing dramatically, and the mechanisms behind these fluctuations remain poorly understood. By mapping real system conditions, evaluating available mitigation technologies, and comparing costs, risks, and expected performance, the project aims to provide:

A stronger scientific and practical foundation for future facility design
Better decision-making tools for technology investments
More predictable long-term operations for land-based producers
A foundation for a larger main project focusing on design and system development

Ultimately, the pre-study seeks to reduce risk and cost for producers and support the sustainable growth of land-based aquaculture.

Project owner