Norwegian fish farmers are getting some positive government attention for a change, as authorities are changing some of the rules attached to new applications for farm sites. The new changes will increase predictability and lessen confusion, according to the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans.
Until now, successful site applications required an individual discharge permit – a time-intensive and costly procedure that required tailor-made regulatory conditions regarding pollution for each industry site. The rules now will provide for standard conditions and regulations industrywide.
The Fisheries and Oceans Minister explained that the new pollution regulations will become more predictable and the same for breeders. The authorities’ application processing becomes more efficient while protecting the environment in the best possible way. “It is good news for the industry, which has wanted this change.”
The Minister for Climate and Environment added that 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,“ he said. The government recognizes the 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.
A two-year transition period will keep existing emission permits in place before replacement with the improved standard ones. Brand new sites will be subject to the new rules in addition to those for carrying out preliminary investigations on the site.
