From May 15–17, nearly 70,000 visitors attended the Danish Food Summit (Madens Folkemøde) in Nykøbing Falster, where TETRAS Pilots 1 and 4 showcased fish grown in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS).

The summit is an annual gathering that brings together producers, scientists, chefs, policymakers, vocational schools, universities, and food enthusiasts. It offers a unique platform to taste local produce, discover new products, and debate the future of food. Among the highlights this year was the Danish trial for Bocuse d’Or, which featured Zander produced in RAS.

Opening Debate: Can Fish Live on Land?

The summit opened with a packed debate titled “Can Fish Live on Land?”, where a panel of experts discussed the promise and challenges of land-based fish farming. Panelists included René Christensen (DAPO – Danish Aquaculture Producer Organisation), Kim Rahbek (Restaurateur), Johan Ljungquist (CEO, Gårdsfisk), John Brædder (Commercial Farmer), and Cecilie Specchio (Head of Canteens, CELF), with moderation by political candidate Iben Krog.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics: the environmental impact of RAS, animal welfare, technology, taste, and the political support needed to scale up sustainable land-based fish farming in Denmark. Audience questions touched on important issues such as feed composition, sourcing, and fish welfare. One enthusiastic guest, who had never eaten fish before, praised the taste of Clarias served at the event.

Cecilie Specchio’s team at CELF prepared and served Clarias tastings during the debate, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Raising Awareness Through Partnership

As part of its outreach efforts, TETRAS Pilots 1 and 4 collaborated with CELF (a secondary and vocational education institution) to raise public awareness. CELF is home to a small-scale RAS demonstration facility and plays a central role in TETRAS Pilot 4.

‘It was a great pleasure to experience the students’ enthusiasm and well-deserved pride as they presented their delicious tastings of Clarias, based on their own recipes. After the tasting, many guests came to the neighboring stand, where we, together with Business Lolland Falster, were ready to explain how Clarias is produced in Sweden with a continuous goal of achieving optimal sustainability across all parameters. The fact that a demonstration facility is now installed at CELF was received very positively and emphasized to many that land-based fish farming is not just something being talked about; it is possible to see the facility, and many are already gaining hands-on experience in fish farming and can be inspired to pursue further education to become part of the future of aquaculture’  – is the joint summary of the event from Hilary Karlson and Mette Jørgensen who are engaged in Pilot 4 for Guldborgsund Municipality

More about the students’ recipes can be found at: www.bioguldborgsund.dk/projekter/tetras-fisk-paa-stald-genbrug-af-vand-mm

Culinary Success and Public Engagement

Throughout the three-day event, CELF’s canteen staff, along with gastronomy and nutrition students, prepared thousands of Clarias tastings using recipes developed during a selection trial earlier this year.

Over Friday and Saturday alone, more than 6,000 tastings were served, with long queues forming at the stand. Many dishes “sold out” well before the day ended, showing strong public interest in land-based aquaculture products.

TETRAS representatives remained present throughout the summit, engaging in public discussions about taste, price, and the sustainability of various production systems.

Looking Ahead

‘We see a large potential in producing fish in land-based facilities, both the very large systems like Skagen Salmon and smaller farm plants as being produced by Gårdsfisk. Raising freshwater fish in RAS can contribute to new business ventures for farmers in Lolland-Falster and create new job opportunities. We are thrilled to be part of the push towards this exciting transition,’ says Annette Løttrup-Moore who is the Project Manager on Pilot 1 for Business Lolland-Falster.

📅 SAVE THE DATE!

Guldborgsund Municipality and Business Lolland-Falster invite you to the Danish Bioeconomy Conference x TETRAS Final Event

📍 CELF, Nykøbing Falster

📅 6 November 2025

We look forward to seeing you there for more inspiration, innovation, and fish!

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