Trade body cheers Norway's progress to offshore fish farming
But Seafood Companies also points out shortcomings in government plan
Norwegian trade body Seafood Companies has commended government ministers for setting “a clear direction” for investment in offshore aquaculture.
Seafood Companies, which includes both sea- and land-based salmon farmers among its 300 member companies, said a proposal from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries “largely meets what we believe are the necessary conditions for being able to succeed with an industrial investment in offshore salmon farming”.
But the organisation also pointed out shortcomings, including that the proposal contributes too little to predictability for business actors who want to establish offshore fish farming.
Investing in offshore
Seafood Companies said several of its members are investing in offshore aquaculture, and others belong to parts of the value chain that will feel beneficial ripple effects if offshore succeeds.
The group’s observations come in its submission to a government consultation on offshore aquaculture which closes tomorrow.
Earlier this month, the government announced that three areas previously identified as suitable for offshore aquaculture would be advertised for potential leasees.
They are:
- "Norskerenna south", excluding the Norwegian Armed Forces' overlapping danger area "Klepp" in the north and the overlapping area "Norskerenna" in the south.
- "Frøya Bank North"
- "Trænabanken" outside the overlapping area "Coastal zone Lofoten" in the north.
Seafood Companies said a report from Oslo Economics states that a successful investment in just one of the three areas would mean over 1,000 jobs and many billions of kroner in necessary investments.
Stakeholders losing patience
It added that the regulatory development to enable offshore aquaculture had taken place over three parliamentary terms, and there were several stakeholders impatiently waiting for this development. In the past year, the pace of regulatory development had picked up, which Seafood Companies is pleased with.
“This is a historic opportunity to merge two industries that Norwegians are world leaders in, salmon farming and offshore activity. We now expect the authorities to deliver on the promises that have been made, so that we can start the award rounds as soon as possible,” said Johann Martin Krüger, advisor for business policy and communications at Seafood Companies.
Let farmers choose
Krüger believes it is important that the areas that will now be advertised for offshore aquaculture are large enough to give the business actors who are allocated sites the opportunity to find the best locations within the area themselves.
“It is not the case that all the land in the areas that have been impact assessed is equally favourable for producing salmon. In the first place, we have too little knowledge about the conditions out there for the authorities to be the actor who will draw the lines for where the best locations are located. By giving the actors who are allocated the land the opportunity to narrow down the location themselves, we ensure that we get the best possible socio-economic profitability in the areas that are ultimately seized by offshore aquaculture, while doing so in a safe way for people, fish and material assets,” said Krüger.
“We look forward to continuing to work with our members who are committed to offshore aquaculture, and to working with the authorities in the future so that we can succeed together. A successful venture will mean a huge amount for the further development of large parts of our coast.”
