Sjømat Norge adds criticism to new Norwegian aquaculture scheme

The Norwegian Seafood Federation Sjømat Norge has published its official response to Norway's recently-introduced "environmental flexibility" scheme, arguing that it lacks sufficient technological flexibility, limits innovation and contradicts the intentions of Parliament.

The regulation, published on 10 October, incentivises the adoption of closed containment aquaculture facilities by allowing salmon producers to use production capacity previously reduced due to high sea lice levels in certain production zones. The scheme was introduced following the Norwegian parliament's approval this summer of aquaculture policy updates originally proposed in April 2025.

While Sjømat Norge welcomed the government’s decision to establish such a scheme, it contends that the new regulation falls short, particularly since it primarily covers closed-containment systems and not other methods that it says have proven effective in reducing sea lice production and spread.

“We had hoped for a solution that would enable the use of a range of new technological approaches with low or no lice emissions. Technological neutrality was central to our consultation response. The government’s solution is limited to a few technologies,” said Jon Arne Grøttum, Director of Aquaculture at Sjømat Norge, in a Norwegian language statement.

Grøttum also criticised the lack of incentives for companies adopting innovative solutions. “Putting production into closed systems requires large investments,” he stated.

The group noted some positive changes compared to the draft regulation, including the removal of a requirement for mandatory collection of organic material. However, it questioned new rules linking the return of reduced production volumes to issues such as organic discharge and escapes, which it argues are unrelated to lice levels.

Sjømat Norge also objected to a revised provision that bans the intake rather than the release of lice eggs and larvae into open waters. The group said this change could block access for several technologies already proven to limit lice transmission.

Sjømat Norge officials said that while the federation supports the implementation of the new regulation, it expects that in 2026 the government will introduce an expanded scheme that includes low lice emission technologies beyond closed systems.

The comments echo criticism issued by another Norwegian seafood trade organisation, Sjømatbedriftene, which called the new legislation “a step in the right direction” but argued that the scheme lacks ambition, resulting in “a limited system without sufficient incentives for the necessary transformation.”