"The Directorate of Fisheries believes that all areas may be suitable for offshore aquaculture," said Director of Fisheries, Frank Bakke-Jensen.
Photo: DNV.
Norway continues to explore the possibility of offshore aquaculture, most recently through a comprehensive impact assessment looking at the suitability for development in three potential zones: Norskerenna South (southern Norway), Frøyabanken North (western Norway), and Trænabanken (northern Norway).
The impact assessment, conducted by assurance and risk management firm DNV and commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, was opened for consultation in October 2024.
The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has recently issued its official response indicating it would be in favour of offshore aquaculture development in all three zones, but stressed that adequate technical measures will need to be put in place to prevent fish escapes and thus possible impacts on wild salmon populations.
"The Directorate of Fisheries believes that all areas may be suitable for offshore aquaculture," said Director of Fisheries, Frank Bakke-Jensen, in a press statement.
Despite the impact assessment's findings that the possible consequences for wild salmon could be "very serious", the Directorate of Fisheries said its view was that "the negative consequences are limited".
"Good prevention of escapes will be crucial to limiting the negative consequences for wild salmon as a result of offshore aquaculture," Bakke-Jensen said.
"It will be important that escapes are prevented through a high technical standard," added Directorate of Fisheries section manager for aquaculture allocation, Anne Osland.
“The infection pressure for sea lice and disease must also be kept low inside the aquaculture facilities. This way we keep the probability as low as possible that wild salmon within and near the study areas will be infected,” Osland added.
At the end of November 2024, Norway's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries also submitted proposals for technical regulations for offshore aquaculture facilities for consultation, with responses due by 25 February 2025.
"The proposed regulations, which have been prepared by the Directorate of Fisheries and the Norwegian Marine Industry Authority with input from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Environment Agency, propose provisions that will ensure escape safety in new installations intended for offshore aquaculture in a better way than the current regulations with technical requirements for sea-based facilities," the Directorate stated.
The proposed regulations include requirements for technology qualification before new technology is used, in addition to a monitoring system, verification requirements, and the need for consent before facilities become operational.
