Norway to launch new aquaculture environmental regime

Norway is changing the pollution rules around aquaculture, the government has announced, with a move away from individual discharge permits towards more standard regulations and conditions.

The government believes the change will make the rules more equal for companies.

New minimum requirements for environmental documentation are also being introduced for new site applications.

Fisheries and Oceans Minister Cecilie Myrseth said: “With these changes, the pollution regulations will become more predictable and the same for breeders. We make the authorities’ application processing more efficient – while protecting the environment in the best possible way. It is good news for the industry, which has wanted this change”

Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Erikson added: “Aquaculture is a rapidly developing industry.

“Fish farming produces, among other things, emissions of nutrient salts, organic particles and environmentally hazardous substances that can pollute the environment around the facilities.

“Many of today’s emission permits are old, and not necessarily adapted to today’s knowledge and technology.

“We have therefore seen a need to update the requirements for the operation of aquaculture facilities in the sea, so that these correspond to a greater extent with environmental requirements that apply to other industries.”

The existing emission permits will expire two years after the new rules come into force. After this transition period, the permits will be replaced by the statutory standard requirements.

In addition to the removal of discharge permits as a general rule, new minimum requirements will be introduced for applications for permits for aquaculture – including for carrying out preliminary investigations on the site.

Cecilie Myrseth, Minister for Fisheries and Oceans, Norway