Environmental DNA sampler mounted on a Slocum glider
(Photo: Trude Borch/Akvaplan-niva)
The ocean research and consultancy firm Akvaplan-niva has brought to the table the discussion on what regulatory and industry changes are needed to adopt a more sustainable aquaculture management system in Norway.
One of the Norwegian government's reports states that future regulations should take into account the actual and measurable environmental impact and provide individual incentives for companies to strive to reduce sea lice emissions and fish escapes.
In this regard, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Marianne Næss, has emphasized the need to focus not on how much is produced, but on the effects of production on fish welfare and the marine environment. "We must move from regulating tonnes to regulating trust," she said.
In addition, Akvaplan-niva explains that "clear legal frameworks can go hand in hand with a more dynamic practice, where new knowledge and new methods effectively influence the assessment of individual cases."
The e-Lice project, which was not fully developed, combined sensor technology and artificial intelligence for the early detection and monitoring of sea lice larvae in the water. The aim was to enable better control of these parasites.
Meanwhile, the AQUAeD project identified specific microbes that could serve as biological indicators of the environmental condition of the seabed beneath aquaculture facilities. Ultimately, however, it was not implemented due to the use of overly complex technology.
In the case of the VDWS Transition project, which focuses on corals and other benthic species threatened by the impacts of aquaculture, the administration has tended to prioritize rejecting applications to establish new aquaculture facilities.
Finally, there is the JellySafe project, focused on understanding, monitoring, and limiting the harmful effects of the colonial jellyfish known as the “pearl jellyfish” on farmed salmon in Norway. The aim is to continue initiatives based on monitoring and early warning of potential environmental threats.
"If authorities, researchers, and industry jointly ensure that research-based knowledge is not only heard but also applied, we can strengthen trust in both the measures implemented and our collective ability to develop a more sustainable, knowledge-based aquaculture management," affirms Akvaplan-niva.