Salmon farming in Norway Controversies, challenges and regulatory responses Ann-Magnhild Solås Researcher, Nofima, Norway Visiting PDF, IRES, UBC MAAFCA meeting, November 2 nd 2017 Frank Gregersen, Nofima
Outline Development of Norwegian salmon farming Governance system - overview Controversies and challenges Regulatory response and latest developments
A maritime country https://cdn-c.ndla.no/sites/default/files/images/sildefiske_utenfor_morekysten_img_6544_m_logo.fullbredde.jpg
Development of the Norwegian salmon production Rapid growth over the last 30 years Crisis in 1990 and 2002 Huge ambitions: - 2.7 mill. tons in 2025-5 mill. tons in 2050 Figure: Otto Andreassen, Directorate of Fisheries
Two systems for doing aquaculture Getting a license: Apply or buy Getting the right to farm salmon and trout Regulated by maximum allowed biomass (MAB) 780 or 945 MAB The Ministry of Trade, industry and fisheries responsible Figure: Otto Andreassen, Directorate of Fisheries Getting a location: Seek the best place Municipal coastal zone plans important Dependent on where they have allocated A-areas (or multi-use areas) Industry strictly regulated by several ministries and directorates County authorities coordinate the process 5
M. of Transportation M. of Food and Agriculture M. of Trade and Fisheries M. of Municipalities and Modernisation M. of Climate and Environment M. of Oil and Energy Harbour and Fairways Act Food Act Animal Welfare Act Aquaculture Act Planning and Building Act Pollution Act, Biodiversity Act, Recreational Activities Act Water Resource Act Coastal Administration Food Safety Authority D. of Fisheries Environment Agency WRED Regional offices Regional offices Regional offices County Councils County Governors Regional offices Municipalities 6
The role of the Sami Parliament No official role in production or site licencing, but Right to object to spatial plans on questions concerning sami culture, commerce and social life. Section 3-1. Planning functions and considerations pursuant to this Act Within the framework of section 1-1, plans pursuant to this Act shall: (c) protect the natural basis for Sami culture, economic activity and social life Planning and Building Act 2008 «Sámediggi» Illustratedjc, Wikimedia Commons 7
A battle for space? Starting point: 2500 km of coastline (101,000km if all fjords and islands are included) and only 5 million people Conclusion: there should be more than sufficient space for all activities Tromsø havpadleklubb But: Rapid expansion in all coast related sectors and industries All areas not equally valuable (the need for super localities in aquaculture) Forsvarets mediesenter
Debates on impacts of aquaculture Wild salmon and trout: Escapes genetic interactions, Sea lice Disease transfer Marine fish: Interference with spawning? Pellet saithe Local communities: Revenues, employment, rights to sea space? Mattilsynet
Major challenges: Impacts on wild salmon Escapes Sea lice Threats to wild salmon. Forseth et al 2017 Available seaspace Competing interests Reluctant municipalities 10
Regulatory responses Six important initiatives: NYTEK Norwegian Standard National salmon rivers and fjords Green licenses A new growth regime Development licenses Free onshore (land-based) licences 11
NYTEK Technical requirements for fish farms Planned since mid-1980s, with the purpose of preventing escapes Technical requirements to dimensioning, design, installation and operation of floating fish farms Regulation in force in 2004 but a six year transition period Revised in 2011 12
National salmon rivers and salmon fjords 52 rivers No new activities that can harm wild salmon (e.g. hydropower) 29 fjords No new salmon farms Existing salmon farms subject to stricter regulations regarding escapes, sea lice and disease regulation 13
Green licences (2013) Stricter requirements for sea lice (0,25 or 0,1 vs. 0,5 sea lice per fish) Reduced escapes Industry responses: Lice skirts Cleaner fish Mechanical lice treatments Sterile fish (triploids) Larger post-smolt Parts of the production in closed containment systems 14 Hersoug 2015
The new growth regime traffic lights Need for a stable framework for growth No production growth in Norway since 2012! In force from October 15 th 2017 Based on the environmental conditions in 13 different production zones along the coast So far, one indicator: sea lice MAB to be regulated (or stable) +/- 6% every second year Heavily disputed by industry organisations Ministry of Trade and Fisheries, Oct 31 st 15
Development licenses (2015-2017) Developing new technologies to reduce environmental footprint So far 62 applications, 5 granted Closed systems in the fjords or open pens further offshore Involves heavy investments (200-900 mill NOK) Therefore applying for many licenses (3-46) Licenses for free, but 10 mill NOK if successful after 15 years (converts to a regular license)
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Landbased systems Licenses for free A few granted, several pending Economic viability? Pumping costs and problems of getting rid of offal Larger smolt (up to 2 kg on land) a more realistic scenario New facilities for larger smolt built and planned along the entire coast Bulandet Miljøfisk AS Canada 2017
Troubled waters: Legitimacy Norway has less troubles than Canada, Scotland and Chile The industry has lower rating than the product (salmon), and public approval is declining Facts are not sufficient! «Metaphores and retorics trump facts in most public debates regarding salmon farming» Canada 2017
Transparency Directorate of Fisheries Barentswatch.no 20
Locality level reporting: 21
Pilot project: Information portal (in progress) Escapes Project group: Nofima SINTEF Ocean BarentsWatch Questions? Kine.karlsen@nofima.no Employment Funded by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF) 22
Summary Highly succesful industry, but Legitimacy is a concern (increasing transparency?) Heavy technological investments Diversification of practices Sustainability = environmental sustainability Complex governance system, time-consuming spatial planning The municipalities hold the key to coastal area access Need to increase benefits for coastal peoples 23
Thank you for listening Contact: ann-magnhild.solas@nofima.no Phone: (604) 537-6217 References Forseth, T. et al. (2017) The major threats to Atlantic salmon in Norway. ICES J Mar Sci Hersoug, B. (2015): The greening of Norwegian salmon production. Maritime Studies 14 Osmundsen, T & Schei, M.O. (2017): The imperishable controversy over aquaculture. Marine Policy 76 Photo: Lidunn Boge, Nofima 24