Proposed regulations will fuel needs for improved fish farming technology

The committee has been chaired by Professor Linda Nøstbakken, and last week she presented a report both analysing today’s industry state and suggesting a comprehensive permit system for the Norwegian aquaculture suggesting several reforms. This includes both possible penalties and incentives to develop future technology.  

Fighting sea lice

The proposed regulations provide stronger incentives for sustainable choices to secure biosafety and the local site environment. This will also enable growth in the aquaculture industry in the future, commented Nøstbakken when presenting the report.

An important topic in the 193 page report is the industry’s fight to conquer the parasite sea louse that is impacting the whole Norwegian aquaculture industry. Lice is negatively affecting both the local environment around sites, as well as the industry profits.  New solutions to both monitor, control and prevent the lice are vital to secure a profitable and sustainable future growth in the industry.

The report is suggesting to change the «Traffic light system», implemented in 2017, which today divides the Norwegian coastline into different zones, regulating production according to sea lice infestation levels. The committee suggests stricter regulation of parasites and is also proposing taxation if levels are exceeding maximum levels.

Cooperation is vital to meet goals

The industry is positive to several of the suggested changes but is also stating it will be challenging to meet all goals if the governmental committee’s proposals are enacted.

- We are supporting the aim to make Norwegian fish farming industry more sustainable. We are working hard every day to reduce the environmental footprint on our activity. But more can be done. And the farmers can’t do this alone. To succeed we need to cooperate with providers of alle kinds of sea farming technology, said Chief Communications Officer in Grieg Seafood ASA, Kristina Furnes in a comment to the proposal.

The proposal is now being sent for consultation and the Norwegian Minister for Fisheries and Oceans Bjørnar Skjæran will receive all comments be stakeholders by January 2024.

- I will assess the proposals in more detail when after the consultation round, said Minister Bjørnar Skjæran.

You can download the report in Norwegian in full text in a word document that can be translated here.