Pictured: SalMar Aker Ocean's Ocean Farm 1.
Photo: SalMar Aker Ocean.
Norway's offshore aquaculture development takes another step forward with the news that Norwegian authorities have awarded assurance and risk management company DNV a contract for an comprehensive impact assessment on potential offshore aquaculture operations.
The assessment is to focus on three strategic maritime areas: "Norskerenna sør", "Frøyabanken nord", and "Trænabanken".
The decision to go with DNV follows a competitive bidding process opened in February by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Fisheries. Proposals were received from four reputable consulting firms with specialisation in the maritime and seafood sectors - DNV, Akvaplan-niva, Menon Economics, and Norconsult.
"The interest from several major players bodes well for the development of offshore aquaculture," believes Fisheries and Oceans Minister Cecilie Myrseth.
"DNV has extensive experience from large, relevant strategic impact assessments. In addition, they provide key personnel with particularly good insight into biosecurity work which will be important in this work," Myrseth said in a press release announcing the decision.
DNV is recognized for its specialization in aquaculture, notably through its involvement in the Smart Fish Farm project, which demonstrated its expertise in location clearance for sea-based aquaculture.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries announcement, "DNV has shown a good understanding of the assignment and describes, among other things, the use of infection modeling and connectivity analyzes as tools to be able to divide the investigation area into suitable notification areas."
DNV is now tasked with undertaking a comprehensive impact assessment for offshore aquaculture in the three maritime areas. The assessment will aim to evaluate the potential environmental impacts, fish welfare considerations, and the coexistence of salmon, trout, and rainbow trout aquaculture with other marine industries within the specified areas.
The findings will guide governmental decisions regarding the suitability of these regions for offshore aquaculture and determine prioritization for future development.
We can expect the results of the assessment to be made public this autumn. Norway's Ministry of Trade and Fisheries has set a deadline of 15 October 2024 for completion by DNV.