Aquaticode Strengthens Leadership with Appointment of Trond Williksen as Strategic Advisor
Aquaticode, a frontrunner in real-time phenotyping and sorting solutions for the aquaculture industry, has announced the appointment of Trond Williksen as their new Strategic Advisor. This strategic move aims to further enhance the company’s innovative capabilities in the sector.
Extensive Experience in Aquaculture
Trond Williksen brings over two decades of extensive experience within the aquaculture domain. His impressive background includes leadership roles as CEO of renowned companies such as AKVA group, SalMar, and most recently, Benchmark Holdings. During his tenure at Benchmark, he successfully navigated the organization through a significant transformation and its transition to private ownership earlier this year.
Insights from a Seasoned Expert
“Trond has operated at every level — from farming and technology to genetics and fish health — and that breadth is rare,” stated Stian Rognlid, CEO of Aquaticode. “As AI phenotyping becomes integral to daily operations, his insights into farmers’ investment and decision-making will be invaluable. We aim to convert innovation into tangible advancements on farms, making phenotype intelligence a standard practice throughout the industry.”
Innovative Solutions for the Future
This appointment represents a crucial step in Aquaticode’s transition from pioneering projects to large-scale implementations. The company recently launched its patented SORTpro system in 2023, which seamlessly integrates advanced imaging, deep-learning AI, and gentle robotics to sort and identify traits in tens of thousands of fish per hour.
A Vision for Impact
In Williksen’s own words, “I’m joining Aquaticode because this team is creating real biological and commercial impact. AI phenotyping provides farmers with critical insights into fish traits that influence survival, welfare, and overall performance. With improved selection strategies, Norway’s ambitious goal of reducing sea mortality from around 16% to 5% is not merely theoretical; it is within reach. That’s an impact worth pursuing, and Aquaticode is perfectly positioned to make it happen.”
Proven Track Record and Promising Partnerships
Aquaticode has already made significant strides in the industry, having scanned tens of millions of fish and collaborated with several of the world’s top ten salmon farmers. The company continues to demonstrate how phenotype intelligence can lead to quantifiable improvements in welfare, efficiency, and growth within the aquaculture sector.
A Distinguished Advisory Board
Trond Williksen joins an esteemed board of advisors that includes Einar Wathne, the former CEO of Cargill’s aquaculture division. Wathne commented, “I have witnessed Aquaticode’s technology evolve from proof-of-concept to real-scale deployment. Trond’s addition fortifies our ability to implement phenotype intelligence for everyday use on farms. With the combination of empirical scale data and deep sector leadership, farmers can now invest with greater confidence.”
With this new strategic appointment, Aquaticode is set to redefine the standards of aquaculture practices, leveraging innovative technology to ensure sustainable growth and improved fish welfare throughout the industry.
