About Planktonic
Planktonic was founded in 2008 by two marine biologists in Norway with a simple truth: the best first feed for fish larva is the feed it evolved to eat. Everything since has been about making that idea commercially real.
The ocean has always fed us. But as the global population grows, so does the pressure on the fragile ecosystems sustaining it. This has shifted aquaculture from industry to necessity. With that shift came a question the sector could no longer avoid: how do you scale without sacrificing what you're scaling from?
In 2008, Dr. Nils E. Tokle and Håvard Aakerøy began to answer this question. Not by scaling faster, but by looking closer, at the very beginning of life in the water. Fish larvae are not designed for alternatives, they are evolutionarily built to feed on live marine plankton. So what if that natural beginning could be preserved, deeply understood, and made consistently available? That simple truth became the foundation for everything that followed.
What started as a biological insight evolved into a methodology. Over years of rigorous research and refinement, a new approach took shape, built on nutritional integrity, consistency, biosecurity, and a deep respect for nature itself.
But the story was never just about a product. It was about partnership. Working closely with hatcheries, Planktonic set out to support not only the cultivation of established species, but also the exploration of new ones. Every shared experience deepened the science, and every success pointed the way forward.
In 2016, CryoPlankton brought that science to market, and the journey from research to real-world impact began in earnest. Today, Planktonic stands as a leading supplier of live feed to marine hatcheries across Europe and the Middle East, with a strong presence in the Mediterranean, and continuous expansion beyond including Asia and LATAM. Still moving forward, asking better questions, and letting nature lead the way.
Our Mission
Optimise growth with a natural, nutrient-rich plankton and a strong biosecurity profile.
Simplify operations with a consistent, high-quality, off-the-shelf solution.
Improve protocols and produce significantly better quality fish.
Achieve higher survival and SGR, reduced FCR, and reduced deformities, while decreasing production costs.
A natural origin
The process
Planktonic operates seven licensed barnacle aquaculture sites along the Norwegian coast. In spring, planktonic barnacle nauplii settle naturally on substrates provided at farming sites and grow to adulthood through the season.
Mature barnacles are harvested in winter. Their eggs are sealed and collected to produce CryoPlankton nauplii. At this stage, the egg has not been exposed to the external environment, which is the biosecurity foundation of the product.
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Using a patented cryopreservation process, nauplii are preserved alive in liquid nitrogen. This is what makes off-the-shelf live feed possible. The biological integrity of the organism is maintained until it reaches the hatchery.
Thawed and ready to feed. No culture management, no enrichment, no variability from in-house production.
Behind Planktonic is a team of marine scientists, aquaculture engineers, and industry pioneers.
Our Team
Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer
A marine ecologist specialising in plankton biology, cryopreservation and live feed innovation, Nils has led multiple EU and national R&D projects on larval nutrition and advanced plankton-based feeds.
He holds a PhD in Marine Ecology.
Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer
Håvard specialises in operational and strategic business development in aquaculture, with extensive experience across management, research and commercial growth. He holds a degree in Environmental and Resource Economics and Management.
Chief Executive Officer
Rune specialises in scaling start-ups and building international market presence, leading Planktonic from early technology development to global commercialisation. He holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration.
Global Sales Director
Antonio specialises in commercial aquaculture with 28 years of international experience and senior leadership roles across established operations and development projects. He holds a BSc and MSc in Aquaculture and an MBA.
Technical Manager
Konstantinos specialises in marine hatchery systems, production efficiency and early-stage fish nutrition, contributing to international projects on aquaculture performance and innovation. He holds an MSc in Aquaculture and an MBA.
Sales and Technical Support
Catarina specialises in hatchery systems, bivalve production and aquaculture operations across multiple species, combining scientific knowledge with hands-on field expertise. She holds a BSc in Biotechnology and an MSc in Applied Biology.
Sales and logistics
Manuel specialises in global aquaculture trade and seafood logistics with a focus on the Mediterranean market, bringing over 20 years of international experience. He holds a BSc in Marine Biology and an MSc in Integrated Environmental Studies.
Technical Support
Akrivi specialises in marine fish hatcheries with more than 20 years of experience in live-feed production, larval rearing, and hatchery operations. She combines extensive technical expertise with an MSc in Waste Treatment Methods and Management and a BSc in Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Environment.
Credentials
Built to industry standards
Food safety management system certification.
EU’s main framework for research and innovation funding.
The process that makes off-the-shelf live feed possible.
Licensed barnacle farming sites along the Norwegian coast.
Our Code of Conduct aligns with the Transparency Act, underpinned by the OECD Guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Get in touch
The right starting point is a discussion about your species, your operational priorities, and what you are trying to improve in production outcomes.
