A group of prominent Norwegian businessmen have been quietly crafting a plan for a sizable land-based Atlantic salmon farm outside Reno, Nevada, sources familiar with the project told IntraFish.

West Coast Salmon, which has been under development for close to a year and a half, is targeting up to 15,000 metric tons of production in its first phase, and is reportedly advanced in its planning and permitting process.

Among the marquee names leading the project is Hallvard Muri, the former CEO of aquaculture equipment supplier Akva Group and a longtime executive at several of Kjell Inge Rokke's Aker companies.