1968 Eggs from rainbow trout in Norway, Sweden and Denmark are collected and inserted at the breeding station at Dal in Romerrike. Eggs are collected each of the following two years. These three cohorts now cover the generational interval so that from now on they produce a new generation of rainbow trout in the form of fertilized eggs. Later breeding fish are transferred to the breeding station for salmonids at Sunndalsøra (Akvaforsk AS). Read more about the pioneers here.
1971 The breeding station at Sunndalsøra collects Atlantic salmon from the first twelve Norwegian salmon rivers. This forms the basis for the first cohort of salmon used in selective breeding. Each year of the following three years Atlantic salmon are collected from a total of 40 Norwegian and 1 Swedish rivers. The four cohorts now cover the generational interval so that from now on each year a new generation of Atlantic salmon is produced in the form of fertilized eggs.
1975 The first Atlantic salmon eggs which are selected for good growth are produced at Akvaforsk AS.
1981 The first Atlantic salmon eggs which are also selected for late sexual maturity are produced at Akvaforsk AS.
1985 The annual meetings of the Norwegian Aquaculture Association and the Aquaculture Sales group AL vote to start an organised system of selective breeding and egg sales. Norwegian Aquacultures Breeding station AS is built at Kyrksæterøra.
1986 A copy of all Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout families from Akvaforsk AS are transferred at no cost. This transfer occurs every year until the generational interval of Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout is covered. The same genetic material is thereby present at both breeding stations at Sunndalsøra and Kyrksæterøra. The first production of eggs from Norwegian Aquacultures Breeding station AS is marketed.
1987 The first groups of smolt from the breeding stations at Kyrksæterøra and Sunndalsøra are transferred to external breeding fish / egg producers. All of the egg producers in the selective breeding system now have material from the breeding stations.
1992 Norwegian Aquaculture Breeding Station AS enters negotiations after the bankruptcy of Aquaculture Sales Group AL.
Norwegian Salmon Breeding AS is established. Norwegian Aquaculture Association is at the time the sole shareholder. Norwegian Salmon Breeding AS takes over the shares of Norwegian Aquaculture Breeding Station AS.
1993 Capital holdings of Norwegian Salmon Breeding AS are expanded. Owners from the industry, government, bank/insurance and equipment providers come in. Norwegian Salmon Breeding AS takes over the share of AkvaGen AS, (Akvaforsk AS’ company for the production and sale of eggs) at Sunndalsøra.
1994 The first Atlantic salmon eggs selected for a stronger filet colour become available.
1995 The first Atlantic salmon eggs are selected for disease resistance. Fat and fat distribution is integrated as genetic characteristics.The organized breeding work celebrates its 10th anniversary.
1999 Change of profile and change of company name to AquaGen AS. At the same time the daughter companies change their names to AquaGen Hemne AS and AquaGen Sunndal AS.
2000 AquaGen Chile SA is established. AquaGen Chile SA becomes an owner of the selective breeding company Gentec SA in Chile.
2004 After a collaborative project through Team Semin AS and later with Geno AS the technique of freezing milt is developed and implemented. This international pioneer technique makes it possible to better exploit the best male fish and to efficiency in breeding work. A new and better breeding program for Atlantic salmon is started. By using frozen milt the four cohort populations are combined into a large breeding nucleus. Elite eggs are taken from the breeding nucleus every year and transferred to all the external breeding fish/egg producers as a basis for commercial egg production.A patent is granted for the gene area which codes for proteins (MHC) and which is decisive for resistance against virus diseases in salmon and rainbow trout.
2005 The main office of AquaGen is moved from Kyrksæterøra to Trondheim. AquaGen Sunndal AS and AquaGen Hemne AS are combined to form the company AquaGen Norway AS.Sunndalsøra (AquaGen Sunndal AS) is closed as a production location for eggs and fry, after having produced eggs for the industry since the 1970’s. Production capacity is moved to Tingvoll and Kyrksæterøra for a more efficient and modern production.
2006 A greater emphasis on the selective breeding program for rainbow trout is carried out. The combination of the three cohort populations added to crossing in new material forms the basis for a large genetic nucleus on the same model as that for Atlantic salmon.
2007 The gene that controls the Atlantic salmon resistance against IPN is used in brood fish selection of AquaGen`s robust line. Previous selection methods are based on average performance of families, but now the best candidates within each family can be selected with the help of direct DNA-analysis. First AquaGen eggs delivered from own production in Chile.
2008 The Comau Breeding Centre in Chile, with state of the art facilities to support the development of the Chilean AquaGen salmon and trout strains, is officially opened.
2009 The first salmon eggs, which are selected based on gene markers associated with resistance agains the viral disease IPN are launched.
2010 The first salmon eggs, which are selected based on gene markers associated with resistance agains the viral disease PD are launched.
2013
AquaGen changes the logo to one that is stronger associated to breeding and genetics in fish compared to the old logo.
EW Group buys AquaGen.
The first salmon eggs selected by gene marker for strong and even fillet color, RED, are launched.
2014 The first salmon eggs, which are selected based on gene markers associated with resistance agains the viral disease CMS are launched.
2015 AquaGen starts egg production in Steigen, Northern Norway.
2016 AquaGen can deliever eggs all year round.
Through genomic selection, the first salmon eggs that has increased protection against the gill parasite causing AGD, and increased LICE protection, are launched.
The first salmon eggs selected through genomic selection for faster growth are launched.
2017 AquaGen buys Profunda. Here will land-based salmon be produced.
AquaGen Scotland Ltd is established.
AquaGen buys 51% of the Danish-based breeding company AquaSearch ova ApS, one of the world’s leading suppliers of genetics for the pan size trout market.
The first salmon eggs, which are selected based on gene markers associated with resistance agains the viral disease HSMI are launched.
2018 The genome of the lumpfish has been mapped. Read more here
2019 Namdal Rensefisk, in cooperation with AquaGen, opens the world’s first breeding station for lumpfish.
AquaGen buys Scottish Sea Farms’ freshwater hatchery. Read more here

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