Food Safety Authority withdraws approval for Fellesholmen site.
Norway’s Food Safety Authority, Mattilsynet, has decided to withdraw approval for the aquaculture site Fellesholmen, site number 40217, operated by Arctic Ocean Farming. The decision will take effect from 1 January 2026.
Mattilsynet said the withdrawal follows what it describes as serious breaches of regulations related to fish welfare, animal health and biosecurity.
According to the authority, the design of the installation and its exposed offshore location have made the site inaccessible for periods of up to three months. During these periods, essential operational activities such as fish handling, delousing and harvesting could not be carried out.
Mattilsynet concluded that the company has not been able to provide sufficient assurance that the identified deficiencies in operations and emergency preparedness will be rectified. The authority also stated that the system improvements proposed by the company are not considered adequate to address the risks.
The decision is based on provisions in the Food Act, the Animal Welfare Act and associated regulations governing aquaculture operations.
Arctic Ocean Farming was awarded a development licence in 2018 as part of Norway’s programme to encourage technological innovation in aquaculture.
The company has the right to appeal the decision.
