Norway considers options for ‘industry-oriented’ aquaculture directorate
Norway’s Fisheries Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss has announced she is looking at potential major reforms for aquaculture management in the country.
As part of the strategy she is considering setting up a separate aquaculture directorate whose work will run parallel to other new regulations for the industry.
Line Ellingsen, chairwoman of Seafood Norway said the fact that the Minister is now considering an aquaculture directorate was very positive.
“We need a more industry-oriented administration that can ensure faster case processing, she added.
Ellingsen stressed that any directorate must be given clear powers to make decisions. Today, aquaculture management is characterized by fragmented structures and many government agencies with veto rights. The result is long processing times, often several years, even for minor adjustments to the location of facilities.
“Access to land is one of our most important tools. Good location helps both to reduce infection pressure and to minimize environmental impact. Well-functioning management is therefore crucial for the industry", said Ellingsen.
She pointed to earlier attempts in the 2000s, where the Directorate of Fisheries was given expanded powers in current cases.
This led to both faster case processing and increased user satisfaction. Ellingsen also points out that other marine industries, such as oil and gas, have a more streamlined administration through the Norwegian Continental Shelf Directorate.
The Minister also stated that she has sent letters of expectation to several research groups to strengthen the knowledge base about the impact of aquaculture on wild salmon.
“We must regulate the industry based on actual environmental impacts. Today we have knowledge gaps that mean that regulations are largely based on assumptions. These gaps must be closed, said minister Sivertsen Næss
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