Mariculture Systems Portugal (MSP) has signed Zalmhuys Group as its lead partner for sales and marketing of Atlantic Ocean-farmed European seabass and gilthead seabream from the Coralis offshore aquaculture project, currently under development off Vila Real de Santo António.
Headquartered in Urk, a major European seafood hub, Zalmhuys Group brings established distribution channels across retail and foodservice markets in Europe and the United States. The company is known for its portfolio spanning fresh and smoked salmon, alongside a wide range of fresh and frozen seafood products.
The agreement reflects a strategic alignment between production and market access, as MSP advances the Coralis project as a next-generation offshore aquaculture system. Zalmhuys aims to expand its offering with responsibly produced, high-quality marine fish, responding to increasing consumer demand for sustainable protein sources with full traceability and consistent supply.
R: Klaas-Hessel van Eerde, General Manager Zalmhuys Group
At the core of the project is the Coralis offshore aquaculture system, designed for open-ocean deployment in high-energy environments. Engineered to withstand wave heights of up to 17 metres, the system incorporates submersible cage technology that allows continuous operation during adverse weather while supporting natural fish behaviour throughout the water column.
MSP positions offshore aquaculture as a scalable solution to Europe’s growing seafood demand, enabling production of premium fish closer to key markets while maintaining environmental standards and operational reliability. The Coralis system is also designed with flexibility in mind, allowing adaptation for a range of aquaculture species beyond seabass and seabream.
With the addition of Zalmhuys Group as lead commercial partner, the Coralis project moves a step closer to demonstrating the viability of large-scale offshore fish farming — combining advanced engineering with established seafood market expertise.
