About Engesund Fiskeoppdrett AS
Engesund Fiskeoppdrett AS is a farming company based in Fitjar, which operates sustainable production of rainbow trout. With locations in Fitjar, Masfjorden and Solund, and uses both ordinary, green and demonstration concessions.
The company is today a partnership-based aquaculture company, consisting of the Gilje family, Troland Lakseoppdrett and Telavåg Fiskeoppdrett. Engesund Fiskeoppdrett AS was a family-owned company for 60 years. Svein Eivind Gilje is the CEO. He is the grandson of Lars Kleppe, who was one of the pioneers in aquaculture in Western Norway. Kleppe started trout farming as early as 1964. In 2024, the ownership structure changed to the Gilje group owning 40%, while Troland and Telavåg each own 30%.
Svein Eivind Gilje, grandson of founder Lars Kleppe, has a certificate in both aquaculture and fishing/trapping, and has previously worked on both a fishing boat and a wellboat. His track record includes, among other things, the addition of the display concession to Engesund Fiskeoppdrett and a dark-green license in category C.
The company has 2 commercial licenses; an ordinary food fish license and a "green" license. Furthermore, Engesund also operates special licenses; a display license and previously an R&D license for the cultivation of kelp. Engesund is also a part-owner of Vik Settefisk AS, Vest Aqua Base AS and Hordalaks AS, and thus operates an extensive collaboration with other aquaculture companies.
We are investing in rainbow aurea – a sustainable and beautiful alternative
After several years of producing both salmon and rainbow trout, we took the full leap in January 2024 – and switched to 100% rainbow trout production. This is a strategic choice we have great faith in, and one we will continue to make in the years to come.
Why rainbow aureole?
Rainbow trout currently only make up about 5–7% of the total farmed fish in Norway, but we believe this species has great untapped potential – both in terms of sustainability, fish welfare and product quality.
Rainbow trout has several characteristics that make it very suitable for modern, responsible farming:
- Good health status – Aura has proven to be robust and resilient under Norwegian production conditions.
- Strong appetite – This provides good and stable growth, and efficient production.
- Beautiful and distinctive fish – With its blue and violet back, silvery belly and red stripe along its side, the rainbow aura stands out clearly – both in cages and in the market.
Osland hatchery fish – a quality choice
All the smolt we use comes from Osland Settefisk, and we mainly use the Osland strain. In addition, we use some smolt from the AquaGen strain, which is also produced at Osland.
The strain is known for good health, strong growth and high production quality – characteristics that fit well with our goals of sustainable farming.
Long-term and sustainable strategy
We see rainbow trout as a future-oriented choice for the environment, the market and us as producers. This is a species that thrives in Norwegian fjord and marine environments, and which can be produced in a way that ensures high fish welfare and good resource utilization.
Through targeted efforts, good collaboration with competent suppliers and a focus on quality and sustainability, we will help strengthen the position of rainbow trout in Norwegian farming – and offer a healthy, beautiful and tasty fish to the market.
Our history
Engesund Fiskeopprett builds its business on a local, historical development linked to traditional fishing, the pioneering days of fish farming and the trading and hospitality town.
The founder of the aquaculture company, Lars Kleppe (grandfather of the current manager), ran fishing, a shop, smallholding, post office and guesthouse on the island of Engesund, which he owned. He established the salmon farm in 1987, having obtained a licence the same year. The farm was then run together with his son, Ingebrigt Kleppe. It was considered a re-establishment, as Lars Kleppe was one of the pioneers of fish farming in this area (cf. the licence granted by the Directorate of Fisheries). He bought the salmon smolt from Johnsen in Brandasund.
As early as 1964, Lars Kleppe started with rainbow trout, which he exported himself. At that time, the plant was a net that blocked off a small bay (just north of Hengjo in Engesund). The saithe fish was bought locally, by another pioneer, Rønhovde. Kleppe caught the feed himself, with his own net. Pale and other fish were milled in Sjøhuset, where there was also a freezer room. The rainbow farm was closed in 1972.
However, this was not the first time the Kleppe family started farming. Among other things, during the war they had a large oyster farm in a poll west of Ivarsøy. In addition, Kleppe operated with lobster chests that held 3000 kg, placed in the bay in front of Engesund.
In this way, Engesund Fiskeoppdrett represents a coherent, natural development that constitutes a genuine, direct link to the old fishing community. Not just in Engesund with its unbroken family ties and town ties, but as part of the cultural history of the west. And it is an example of the original intention of the fish farms and the granting of licences, to create jobs along the coast built on a local foundation. Fish farming became an alternative when herring and other fish species disappeared in the 1950s and 1960s.
The current day-to-day manager, Svein Eivind Gilje, has grown up with fish farming. He has a certificate in both aquaculture and fishing/catching. Before he was appointed daily manager, he worked on fishing boats and well boats, and for a time also as a cook.
