June 21, 2022

Norway proposes new regulations for offshore salmon farming

The Norwegian government is proposing new regulations for offshore salmon farming, which differs from those imposed by Norway's "traffic light" scheme for coastal aquaculture, Fish Information & Services reported.

Bjørnar Skjæran, Norway's Fisheries Minister, said the goal is to be at the forefront of developing the world's most productive and environmentally friendly offshore aquaculture industry while also feeding a growing global market.

The minister said they create a separate aquaculture licencing regime with stringent sustainability and coexistence requirements for different maritime industries.

This report is the foundation for the consultation note. The proposal includes a broader framework for identifying and facilitating offshore aquaculture zones, as well as the establishment of a separate licencing regime at sea.

The minister said experience shows that it is possible to establish farming further at sea, but the authorities must facilitate this.

He also said it is critical to figure out how to effectively deal with the challenges that such an operation may bring, as well as to establish a clear framework.

On the advice of Norway's Institute of Marine Research, he said the decision to exclude offshore aquaculture from the traffic light scheme was made.

Several producers, including SalMar, are already working on engineering solutions that will allow farms to be built in offshore locations.

-      Fish Information & Services