"Auction contributes to increased value creation, exports, and jobs in the districts," Marianne Sivertsen Næss said.
NFD
The Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries has confirmed that fish farmers can register now for the auction of new aquaculture licenses, which will be held on June 24.
The minimum price in the auction will be 170,000 kroner per ton in all production areas and the deadline for registration is June 14.
"Auctions are an effective way to allocate permits and have historically secured significant revenues for the state and municipal sector," indicated the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Marianne Sivertsen Næss.
So that bidders can provide the relevant information more easily, the ministry to remove the bank guarantees requirement as proof of payment ability.
"Aquaculture is an industry with high value creation that generates many jobs along the coast. The government will now offer growth in areas where the environmental situation is acceptable. This contributes to increased value creation, exports, and jobs in the districts," the Minister noted.
Three days ago, Members of Norway's seafood trade body Sjømatbedriftene issued a unanimous resolution during their national meeting last week, urging the Norwegian government to halt the planned reduction in the traffic light system for 2024.
During the first part of the allocation round, conducted by the Directorate of Fisheries, one-sixth of the growth was offered to existing operators at a fixed price of 170,000 kroner per ton. Specifically, up to 6% growth will be offered in production areas with an acceptable environmental situation.
According to the ministry, there was "good" participation in the fixed-price allocation, and 2,893 tons of production capacity were sold. This accounts for about 81% of the offered capacity.
Finally, the total revenues from the fixed-price allocation were 476 million kroner, of which 55% goes to municipalities and counties through the Aquaculture Fund.
The production capacity that was not sold at a fixed price will be offered at the auction.
