Industry disappointed by Norway’s aquaculture policy overhaul.
Several leading aquaculture organisations have criticised the Norwegian government’s newly announced strategy for the sector, warning that proposed reforms could undermine investment, increase uncertainty, and fail to deliver clarity on emissions targets.
The strategy, titled Aquaculture of the Future – Sustainable Growth and Food for the World, was presented in Bergen on Thursday by Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss. As reported by NRK, the government intends to scrap the traffic light system and replace it with a framework based on site-specific lice emission quotas and a tax on fish mortality and escapes.
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Although the aquaculture industry has long been critical of the collective traffic light model, the proposed replacement has not been met with enthusiasm. In an interview with NRK, Geir Ove Ystmark, CEO of Seafood Norway, described the plan as a “radical proposal” that could have “dramatic effects on investment and development opportunities.” He said the organisation had previously warned the ministry against the move and was disappointed that emission quotas would now form the basis of the government’s policy.
“We need calm at home. The world economy is very unpredictable,” Ystmark said. He added that the aquaculture industry has already absorbed a major tax increase through the resource rent tax, and that the introduction of additional fees tied to mortality and lice was not the right solution.
Robert H. Eriksson, CEO of The Seafood Companies, which represents smaller private aquaculture firms, also expressed disappointment. Speaking to NRK, Eriksson said the strategy lacked concrete measures and failed to offer real predictability for future development. “It is positive that the minister is clear about the need for lower environmental impact, but at the same time disappointing that she does not mention zero and low emissions in a single word,” he said.
Eriksson warned that the government’s approach would effectively put aquaculture policy on hold for at least two more years while new analyses are carried out. “Privately owned companies must be given real opportunities to grow and contribute on equal terms. We need predictable framework conditions for differentiated ownership and a diversity of actors,” he said.
Not all reactions from the industry were negative. Sondre Eide, CEO of Eide Fjordbruk, which has invested in closed-system technologies, told NRK he sees the proposal as a “historic crossroads” for the sector. “The announcement sends a strong signal that it now pays to be careful, think new things and invest in sustainable solutions,” Eide said.
He called on the Norwegian parliament to stand behind the reform. “Now it is crucial that the Storting stands united behind the announcement, so that we gain predictability and can focus on zero emissions right now,” he said.