Sterling Brochure - EN

Norwegian Sterling® Halibut

A gourmet fish for all occasions

A gourmet delight from Ryfylke

Sterling® White Halibut has become a favourite in restaurants and at diningtables worldwide. Many people choose this fish for a special occasion to show their appreciation of their guests.

Sterling® White Halibut is farmed in the cold, clear, deep fjords of Ryfylke in the vibrant part of Norway. Easy to prepare and versatile in use, the halibut’s exquisite taste complements the aroma of other ingredients. Halibut is also rich in proteins and vitamins, and along with its high content of Omega 3 fatty acids this makes it both nutritious and good for your health. Sterling White Halibut provides an excellent basis for various dishes, and is perfect for grilling, frying, poaching, baking in the oven or served raw.

Sterling® White Halibut – made to grace your plate

Halibut is a flatfish that is often served as a substantial fillet with an even thickness throughout. Its firm white flesh has a distinctive flaky structure, and it’s large bones are easy to remove. Just perfect for innovative cooking that results in the most wonderful bone-free meal!

Halibut – fish of the Gods

Myths and legends reflect the special importance the coastal inhabitants of Norway have attributed to halibut from time immemorial. In settlements from the Stone Age we can find rock carvings that are more than 10,000 years old portraying how highly our ancestors esteemed halibut. It was regarded as a holy fish and was called “the fish of the Gods”.

Halibut was seen as the personification of the wise and kind Balder – a blond Norse God. Traditionally the fish has been served on special occasions such as at weddings and Christmas, and it still has a special place in the hearts of the Norwegian coastal population.

Ancient rock carvings near Stone Age settlements show how important halibut has been for Norwegians throughout the ages.

• Is rich in vitamins and proteins

• Has a high content of Omega 3 fatty acids

• Is supplied as even, thick fillets

• Has a large bone structure that is easy to remove

• Has long shelf life when stored at the correct temperature

• Is a versatile fish that is easy to combine with a variety of ingredients

• Has firm, flaky flesh that gives diners a feeling of satisfaction after the meal

Sterling® White Halibut is farmed in the deep fjords of Ryfylke in Norway. We look after the halibut well for four to five years until it is finally ready to serve. Sterling® is your guarantee that the fish you buy is of the most outstanding quality: our name gives you the assurance that the halibut has been farmed with the outmost care and consideration. It is seafood we are proud to deliver!

Sterling® White Halibut:

The cold Norwegian fjords are ideal for aquaculture and provide our farming facilities with a constant flow of cold, clear seawater that contributes to achieving optimal growth conditions.

The farming of halibut is a demanding task since the fish is very different from other species. Nonetheless we benefit from our wide experience and our tried and tested working methods. The knowledge and expertise of our researchers and marine biologists and our committed fish farmers guarantee premium and safehigh-quality products.

A place for the flatfish to live

To attain the best possible results, we have our own indoor nurseries. The halibut spends the first part of its life in protected conditions with large volumes of fresh seawater where each individual fish has its own “living area”! Gradually the fish are moved to

open pens at selected fjord locations. The living area is extended as the halibut increase in size, thus giving them ample space to move and rest.

Sterling® White Halibut can be tracked through its entire life! The control system monitors the production from eggs to mature fish, and throughout the entire process we record information about feed, grading, weight, fat content, harvesting results, health factors and fish mortality. We detect any risk related to food safety, and handle potential danger at all levels of production – right through to delivery. We ensure full traceability and food safety at each link of the value chain.

Respect for this distinguished product is shown in the careful way we treat it.

The life cycle and value chain of Sterling® White Halibut

The hatchery (9 months ) and the nursery stage (12 months )

• The broodstock mature and spawn naturally three or four times a year, producing fertilised eggs that are placed in dark tanks.

• After 10-12 days in darkness the eggs hatch, and small halibut larvae emerge, each with its own yolk sac.

• Once the yolk sac has been consumed, the halibut start to eat living feed such as small crustaceans or tiny single-celled plant plankton.

• The metamorphosis starts with one eye beginning to move so that both eyes are located on the same side of the head.

• The fish then become flatter and start to migrate to the bottom. From 0.5 grams, and up to five grams, the fish will feed on normal dry food, after which they are moved to a land-based growth facility.

• This is the start of a long process in which the halibut moves through a production process that has been designed to achieve optimal health and growth.

From juveniles to three-year-old fish

• The halibut juveniles remain in the nursery until they weigh 350–400 grams, at which point they are moved to an open land-based facility that provides more space.

• Here they grow to about 1200-1500 grams, when they are ready to be moved to an open sea-based facility with the innovative hanging-shelf system – also called Sterling White Halibut “houses”.

• The fish live in this protected sea area for about two years until the average weight is 5-6 kg and they are ready to be harvested.

• The feed used consists exclusively of marine raw materials from sustainable stocks.

Harvesting stage

• When the halibut are to be harvested they are taken on board our processing boat, where they are quickly stunned and bled.

• The halibut are then transported to our slaughterhouse for gutting and packaging.

• Some of the fish being filleted and portioned.

Culinary stage

• Sterling White Halibut offers a wealth of possibilities for you to impress your guests with new dishes and taste combinations!

Pure luxury – piece by piece

Sterling White Halibut lends itself to many different needs and tastes, and many chefs appreciate the numerous creative opportunities it offers. In the following you will find some suggestions as to how this premium product can be cut and used.

Whole fish with head, gutted

Supplied in weight classes 1-3 kg, 3-5 kg, 5-7 kg, 7-9 kg and 9 kg +. Delivered in singel and 20 kg boxes.

Whole fish without head and tail, gutted

Supplied in sizes 1-3 kg, 3-5 kg, 5-7 kg, 7-9 kg and 9 kg +. Delivered in singel and 20 kg boxes.

Boneless fillets with skin Half or whole cutlets

Available from 400 to 1600 grams. Delivered in 5, 10 or 20 kg boxes.

Supplied in weight groups from 125 to 400 grams. Delivered in 5, 10 or 20 kg boxes.

By-products

Halibut heads and halibut bones. Ideal for making stock. Delivered in 10 or 20 kg boxes.

Health and nutritional qualities

Sterling® White Halibut is rich in vitamins and proteins as well as having a high content of Omega 3 fatty acids. Research has clearly shown that the consumption of EPA and DHA fatty substances can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. So our Sterling White Halibut fits perfectly into a healthy diet.