© Pure Salmon France
The decision follows a series of public hearings in Verdon-sur-Mer, Gironde, 100 kilometres north-west of Bordeaux, intended to secure essential environmental and construction permits. This milestone validates the technical rigour of the project, which has undergone several years of environmental assessment. The land-based facility, which will utilise recirculating aquaculture system technology, is designed to produce up to 10,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) per year for the local French market.
"This positive opinion is a decisive step for our project," said Stéphane Farouze, founder of Pure Salmon, in a press release. "It reflects the robustness of our approach, our environmental commitment and our desire to offer sustainable, local, and innovative salmon production. We remain fully mobilised to continue the dialogue with all stakeholders and make this structuring project a reality for the local territory."
Environmental and economic impact
The commission recognised the company's efforts to mitigate environmental concerns, specifically regarding the preservation of freshwater resources and the treatment of waste. By employing high-performance water treatment systems, the facility aims for a recirculation rate of more than 99 percent, significantly limiting both water consumption and discharge into the local estuary.
Beyond environmental considerations, the project is expected to provide a significant boost to the Médoc region. Representing an investment of 275 million euros, the farm is situated on a site designated as "turnkey" by the French president. The development is projected to create 250 local jobs.
Technical design and timeline
Pure Salmon Technology is responsible for the design and dimensioning of the 10,000-tonne facility in Verdon-sur-Mer. The design covers the water treatment systems, process layout, capacities and flow, with fish welfare as a key design principle, ensuring stable operation, efficient resource use and consistent production conditions.
“We are pleased to see the project progressing. Our role is to bring solid technical experience into the design, and we look forward to supporting the realisation of this project,” said Luke-Kellgren-Parker, managing director of Pure Salmon Technology.
Following this constructive opinion, Pure Salmon will continue the next administrative steps obtaining the necessary permits for the launch of the project, which is planned for the second half of 2026. The first commercialisation is scheduled for 2030.
