The Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry has determined the 'traffic lights' for the 13 different production areas for salmon, trout, and rainbow trout farming. The institution confirms the decision can give growth of just over 21,000 tons.
The color is established based on scientific assessments of the impact of salmon lice on wild salmon for 2020 and 2021. Areas with green light increase production. On the contrary, the red zones must reduce the production capacity.
Thereby, eight production areas get the green light and can increase production capacity by up to 6%; Swedish border to Jæren, Nordmøre and Sør-Trøndelag, Helgeland to Bodø, Vestfjorden and Vesterålen, Andøya to Senja, Kvaløya to Loppa, Vest -Finnmark, Øst-Finnmark.
Besides, three production areas get yellow lights: Ryfylke, Stadt a Hustadvika, and Nord-Trøndelag with Bindal. In these areas, there are no changes in production capacity.
Finally, two production areas get red light and must reduce production capacity by 6%; Karmøy to Sotra and Nordhordland to Stadt, which sees their production capacity reduced for the second time.
According to the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Bjornar Skjaeran, this system will create more jobs. Also, more Norwegian food production, higher value creation, and higher export earnings for Norway. "At the same time, we take wild axis seriously by reducing production capacity where the impact is unacceptable," he confirmed.
In addition, Skjæran said that the impact of lice "remains greatest in western Norway. Here the industry must take action to ensure a reduction of the impact as a result of downsizing. But also through operational improvements".
Furthermore, the Norwegian Ministry has looked at the problems of wild salmon every year from 2016 to 2021. It is necessary to evaluate mortality and productivity in individual zones so they can anticipate socioeconomic consequences.
Regarding this, Skjæran noted: "In these areas, I have placed the greatest emphasis on the condition of wild salmonids. Besides, the impact of salmon lice on wild salmon over time."
On the other side, the Hurdal platform states that local communities will receive a fair share of the values from aquaculture activities. Now, basic interest in the aquaculture industry is currently collected through a fee for the issuance of new permits and a production fee of 40.5 øre per kg of fish.
Moreover, as a continuous and follow-up task, the organism evaluate the improvemente of taxation of the aquaculture industry, including whether it can generate higher local revenue. Finally, it can introduced potential proposed changes to tax rules for the aquaculture industry for 2023 in connection with the state budget submission in October.
It is worth remembering that May has been second-best month in history for Norwegian seafood exports.
