SeaQureFarming takes over former Dawnfresh trout farms from Mowi

SCOTLAND – SeaQureFarming Group Ltd., the newly launched venture of Gael Force Group founder Stewart Graham, has acquired the last of Dawnfresh Farming’s trout assets from Mowi.

The transaction, finalised in early April but only now disclosed, marks a strategic pivot for the non-integrated trout farms not absorbed into Mowi’s salmon operations following its 2023 acquisition of parts of Dawnfresh Farming. 

These assets had been in operational limbo since Dawnfresh Seafoods declared bankruptcy in 2022.

SeaQureFarming’s acquisition includes multiple trout farming sites across Scotland. Under the new ownership, all existing jobs tied to these facilities will be retained, ensuring a seamless transition for employees and the continuation of day-to-day operations.

The buyer, SeaQureFarming Group Ltd., is headquartered in Inverness and was created with a bold mission: to pioneer a new semi-closed containment farming system known as the SeaQureFarm™. 

The system, developed by Gael Force Group, is designed to reduce environmental impact by managing waste more effectively and limiting exposure to biological threats. It also holds the potential to convert fish waste into energy.

“This acquisition provides us with a real-world platform to implement and test our SeaQureFarm system,” said Stewart Graham, who emphasised that the newly acquired sites will serve as both production farms and testing grounds for the company’s forward-looking sustainability model.

Graham added, “The former Dawnfresh sites offer an ideal foundation for the development of a next-generation aquaculture system, and we are committed to refining this technology for commercial use.”

Mowi Scotland, which stepped in to save seven trout farms and five hatcheries across Scotland and Northern Ireland after Dawnfresh Seafoods collapsed, opted not to integrate these remaining assets into its core salmon operations. 

Thus, the sale to SeaQureFarming represents a significant transition for the Scottish trout farming industry.

Ben Hadfield, Chief Operating Officer at Mowi Scotland and a former director of Dawnfresh Farming, welcomed the development.

“This transaction represents a new direction for these farms, one focused on innovation and alternative farming systems,” he said. “SeaQureFarming brings a fresh approach that could contribute meaningfully to the evolution of aquaculture in Scotland.”

While the deal’s financial details have not been disclosed, no immediate infrastructure changes are planned. SeaQureFarming is currently prioritising operational stability as it integrates the farms into its broader development roadmap.

The company has not ruled out future investments and enhancements, but is focused for now on aligning the trout farming operations with the SeaQureFarm system. 

Graham’s long-term vision includes turning the farms into a scalable example of how sustainable aquaculture can be achieved through advanced containment technology.

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