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Sea Eight inaugurates land-based sole farming facility in Gijón

Gijón, Spain, 26 September 2025 | The company expects to reach 1,500 tonnes of sole by 2026

SEA EIGHT - Inauguración planta de El Musel (Gijón)

Sea Eight, a specialist in the farming of sole (Solea senegalensis), has inaugurated a land-based grow-out facility at El Musel port, Asturias (Spain), using recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology. The project marks a fresh boost to its expansion strategy and consolidates its position as an international benchmark in sustainable aquaculture.

The plant forms part of a €55 million strategic plan that includes the creation of 100 additional jobs. With this facility, the company will integrate the entire production cycle – from reproduction through to packaging – enabling it to expand capacity and increase efficiency. At present, Sea Eight produces around 700 tonnes a year across its sites in Portugal, Galicia and Asturias. It expects to reach 1.500 tonnes by 2026, with projected revenues of €30 million and EBITDA of €10 million.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the President of the Principality of Asturias, regional government representatives, the Mayor of Gijón and the Chair of the Port Authority, all of whom highlighted the project’s importance as a driver of employment, innovation and sustainability for the local economy.

Sea Eight has an exclusive supply agreement with Mercadona for sole in Spain and already exports to several European countries and the United States. The company is also investing in R&D in nutrition and reproduction, and is developing artificial intelligence applications to optimise processes and deliver a premium product to the highest standards of quality and sustainability.

Jaime León, Chief Executive of Sea Eight, said: “With this investment we want to consolidate our leadership in the market for high-quality sole. We are convinced of the need to produce food sustainably and locally in order to feed the population. Asturias will become a benchmar in sustainable land-based aquaculture production.”

The project enjoys strong institutional and financial backing. In 2024, the Sociedad Regional de Promoción approved a €2.1 million participatory loan, complemented by €600,000 guarantee from Asturgar and €3.6 million in European funds. In January 2025, the company also secured €16 million in bank financing to support its growth plan through to 2026.

In its first phase, the plant compromise a 450 tonne-a-year module, with plans to expand progressively to five modules and a hatchery, reaching a capacity of several thousand tonnes.

First announced in 2021, the project obtained environmental approval in 2022 from the Regional Ministry of Rural Affairs and Territorial Cohesion for a 10,000 m2 facility at El Musel. Construction began in 2023 with an initial investment of €12 million and 25 direct jobs.

With this new facility, Sea Eight now operates four production centres across the Iberian Peninsula and takes a decisive step forward in its integrated model of next-generation aquaculture, positioning Asturias as a strategic hub for land-based sole farming.