Illustration of the Toftøya facility.
Torghatten Aqua
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) has reversed its decision to reject Helgeland Miljøfisk's plans to build a 40,000-tonne flow-through salmon farm in Brønnøy, central Norway.
According Torghatten Aqua, which owns the Norwegian company, Mattilsynet has assessed that the risk of infection to, within, and from the plant is now acceptable.
Regarding this news, CEO Sten Roald Lorentzen of Helgeland Miljøfisk expressed: "I'm relieved and happy that Mattilsynet has upheld our complaint and granted us a licence."
The company is also waiting for the State Administrator in Nordland to change its mind so that they can begin operations this year: "We believe we have answered all of the questions and objections from the State Administrator, just as we have from Mattilsynet. We expect to receive authorisation from them as well," he added.
The last time Mattilsynet rejected the construction request was due to Helgeland Miljøfisk's lack of plans to purify the intake water, the absence of plans to install a roof over the land-based fish farms, and the lack of internal control and biosecurity measures.
"Since then, we've worked intensively to find good enough solutions, and we therefore expected a yes. It's incredibly good to get it in black and white," Lorentzen assured.
Mattilsynet announced it will be continuing its round of farming audits during 2025. This year's audits will mainly focus on fish welfare during sea lice treatments, biosafety, and the welfare of cleaner fish.