The Royal Decree paves way for the final legislative step before Norway launches offshore aquaculture licensing competition.
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The Norwegian government has adopted a Royal Decree defining which sea areas may be opened for offshore aquaculture, marking a formal step towards establishing a new ocean-based fish farming industry.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, the King in Council approved the resolution on 27 February. The decree sets the outer geographical limits of the zones the authorities intend to make available for offshore aquaculture development.
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Marianne Sivertsen Næss described the decision as a turning point in the process of bringing offshore aquaculture to fruition in Norway.
“This marks a new and important milestone in the government's work to realize offshore aquaculture. We can now start work on the last thing that needs to be in place before the competition can be carried out: a regulation on area allocation. It will determine which areas are advertised, how the competition for commitments will be carried out, and what requirements are set for the participants,” she said.
The resolution follows a government decision taken on 2 September last year to proceed with impact-assessed offshore zones, following several years of preparation and consultation. In defining the areas, the authorities said they had taken into account defence interests, biodiversity considerations and the need for coexistence with other marine sectors.
SVO areas, defined as particularly valuable and vulnerable marine zones, have been excluded where they overlap with the proposed aquaculture sites. The decree also notes that the risk of negative effects on migrating wild salmon smolts must be considered in subsequent investigations.
Sivertsen Næss said the industry’s development would be gradual. “Ocean aquaculture can become a new industrial adventure. At the same time, development must take place in a controlled and step-by-step manner, with due regard for both the environment and other industries,” she stated.
“Ocean aquaculture can become a new industrial adventure. At the same time, development must take place in a controlled and step-by-step manner, with due regard for both the environment and other industries,” said Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Marianne Sivertsen Næss.
The ministry said it is now drafting detailed area allocation regulations, which will determine which sites are to be offered, how the competition for area commitments will be structured and what eligibility requirements will apply.
“Once the area allocation regulations have been consulted on and have been determined, we will be ready to conduct a competition for the allocation of area commitments for offshore aquaculture,” the minister said.
An overall impact assessment of the three designated offshore areas has already been completed. However, the Ministry said, further studies will be required before any farming operations can be established. Those companies awarded area commitments will have to prepare detailed area plans and project-specific environmental impact assessments in line with existing salmon allocation rules before applying for site approval.
“The clarification in the Cabinet is important for both the players and the supplier industry. I would like to thank those communities who see the opportunities and are involved in developing concepts for offshore aquaculture. I hope they will continue on the journey and contribute with good input to the further work,” Sivertsen Næss added.