Remote feeding center leads to record feed efficiency for top salmon producer

Mowi’s Fort William remote feeding center reports record feed efficiency and growth in its first full year of operation

Mowi’s first Remote Operations Centre (ROC), based in Fort William, has completed its first full year of operations, with the company reporting improved feed efficiency and growth across several farm sites.

The ROC, which became operational in June 2024, serves as a centralized control room from which staff remotely feed and monitor seawater farm sites. The system is designed to maintain consistent feeding regimes and allow fish to be fed during periods of poor weather, when on-site operations can be unsafe.

“It is fantastic to see such strong results so early on for the ROC,” said Allan Murdoch, who oversees the Fort William ROC. “Of course, there has been plenty of learning along the way. Challenges, including connection issues, differences in stocking densities leading to varying feeding behavior across sites and differences in fish appetites, have had to be dealt with as we learned this new way of working.

Loch Leven, located 18 kilometers from the ROC, was the first site to trial the system, followed by Gorsten and Linnhe. By the end of November 2024, the Fort William center was fully operational, with 12 staff members working two rotating shifts to oversee 18 sites.

In May 2025, the company added two staff members to allow supervisors to focus on analysis, training and coordination with site managers. That same month, Mowi began trialing Akva Observe software, which uses artificial intelligence to recognize feed pellets and support feeding decisions. Following the trial, the technology was rolled out across all monitored sites in October 2025. The company said the system has contributed to improved fish growth and reduced feed waste.

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Performance data from 2025 show record Biological Feed Conversion Ratios (bFCR) at multiple sites. Gorsten recorded a bFCR of 0.98, the lowest ever achieved by Mowi Scotland. Poll na Gille reached 1.06, Bagh Dail Nan Cean (including Port na Cro) 1.09 and South West Shuna 1.07, each marking a site record. All four farms also achieved a Relative Growth Index above 100 percent and survival rates above 85 percent.

“This technology is not replacing our skilled employees but assisting them,” said Murdoch. “With the help of the technology, they have learned the ideal amount of food to achieve maximum growth, ensuring our fish are in optimal health while reducing wastage and environmental impact.”

Following the Fort William launch, Mowi invested in a second ROC in Stornoway to support farms in the Western Isles and Skye.

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