Norwegian fish farming company Salmar Aker Ocean has appointed Roy Reite as its new CEO.

The establishment of SalMar Aker Ocean was formalized in November by Norwegian companies SalMar and Aker, led by SalMar's CEO Gustav Witzoe and Aker's owner Kjell Inge Rokke.

The goal is for SalMar Aker Ocean is to produce 150,000 metric tons of salmon annually in offshore fish farms beginning in 2030.

Reite has worked with large construction projects in the maritime sector and offshore, and for the past three years he has led Norwegian seafood company Fjordlaks.

For 20 years, Reite was a manager in Aker Yards and CEO of what is now the shipyard group Vard.

Reite has considerable experience in leading both listed and unlisted companies, and he has contributed to building a business with more than 10,000 employees and NOK 12 billion (€ 1.3 billion/$ 1.2 billion) in turnover.

“In SalMar Aker Ocean, I see a company with significant growth potential, and that motivates me a lot," said Reite.

"The company has determined, knowledgeable and capital-strong owners. They have concrete plans to create a Norwegian industrial adventure, and the foundation for it all is the belief in and the need for sustainable production of healthy seafood," Reite said in the press release.

SalMar Aker Ocean has already completed two successful production cycles using the production facility Ocean Farm 1 in an exposed area off the coast of central Norway.

These experiences are now being developed in a new and larger Ocean Farm 2.

The company has applied for permission to place the world's first pure offshore fish farm -- called Smart Fish Farm -- about 50 nautical miles off the central Norway coast.