A step forward for underground salmon farm project
The company behind plans for a land-based salmon farm in tunnels excavated into a Scottish island has made an important step towards realising its ambition to build a similar facility in Norway.
The farm at Kvalvikvågen on Utsira would be the first such project by Norwegian Mountain Salmon, with a farm in either the Mealista area of Lewis in the Western Isles or at Scoursburgh Sands in the southwest of Mainland, Shetland, to follow later.
The planning process for the Utsira project has been going on for several years. The municipality's chief executive has recommended that councillors approve the project at a meeting on November 16.
Essential for permit
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), Rogaland County Council, and the State Administrator of Rogaland have raised objections to various parts of the plan during the process but have now withdrawn objections.
Final approval of the zoning plan by the municipal council will be an important milestone in the work of obtaining the necessary permits for the fish farming facility.
Among other things, a discharge permit from the State Administrator of Rogaland remains. This must be in place before Vestland County Municipality can finalise the application for an aquaculture permit.
