Norway opens the door to new land-based fish farm projects

The Norwegian government has begun accepting applications for land-based salmonid farms, two and a half years after imposing a moratorium on new projects that was prompted by the increase in the number of planned hybrid farms that are built on the shore but rely on water taken from and returned to the sea.

The government wanted to prevent the granting of free permits for land-based aquaculture to facilities that affect other fish farming facilities as if they had been traditional open cage facilities in the sea.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries today announced that it had adopted amendments to regulations that clarify the conditions for the location of facilities, so that the boundary between what is considered to be on land and at sea becomes clearer.

Intake water

A requirement for disinfection of intake water for facilities on land is introduced to limit the risk of the spread of infectious agents via water.

“There has been a great deal of technological development since the current regulations for fish farming on land were introduced. Therefore, changes have been necessary,” fisheries minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss explained in a press release.

“A clearer distinction between fish farming on land and at sea will provide more predictable framework conditions for industry and management.”

The government says clear requirements in regulations regarding the establishment and operation of onshore facilities will also streamline the allocation process and reduce the likelihood of discriminatory treatment of actors.

Good biosecurity

“Requirements for purification of intake water are necessary to reduce the risk of spreading infectious agents to marine facilities, and to ensure good biosecurity in land-based facilities. This will be beneficial both for existing operators at sea in close geographical proximity to the relevant land-based facility, as well as the marine environment,” said Næss.

The new regulations only apply to new facilities. Existing facilities, which have already been granted a permit for aquaculture on land, will not be covered by the proposed purification requirements, unless they are to make significant changes. What is to be considered a significant change will be specified in a guide prepared by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.

The government says that aquaculture facilities on land without water treatment have approximately the same risk of infection and environmental impact on surrounding facilities in the sea as traditional open cage facilities.