Strategy: Towards a competitive Norwegian aquaculture industry

- The aquaculture industry is doing well and contributes to development and activity along the coast. In its strategy for a competitive Norwegian aquaculture industry, the government  is focusing on the industry’s need for framework conditions which contribute to maintaining the Norwegian aquaculture industry’s international leading position as producer and exporter of seafood, says Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, Helga Pedersen.  

The Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs on 12 August 2007 presented the government’s strategy for a competitive Norwegian aquaculture industry at the aquaculture trade fair, Aqua Nor, in Trondheim. The strategy is a follow-up of the political platform of the coalition government, the “Soria Moria declaration”, and is based on a comparative study of the competitiveness of the aquaculture industries in Norway, Scotland and Chile.

- It is satisfying to note that our aquaculture industry has seen record export figures the last years. At the same time, we know that the industry is operating in a global, competitive market, where the companies enjoy somewhat differing competitive advantages. The government will contribute to the Norwegian aquaculture industry have favourable framework conditions. At the same time, the government will ensure that sustainability and fish health and -welfare are maintained as undisputed preconditions, explains the minister.

Coastal area constraints  

One important competitive advantage for the Norwegian aquaculture industry is the access to good locations. The access to coastal areas is under pressure from different interest groups, including the aquaculture industry

In its strategy, the Norwegian government will contribute to the aquaculture industry  need for suitable locations in the coastal zone. In principle, the government believes that local authorities should have the opportunity to levy charges for use of locations in their coastal zone. The government will return to the matter in its proposal for the Budget for 2009.

New salmon licences

The government will increase production capacity by granting new licences in a new allocation round in 2009. The current licensing regime of maximum permitted biomass (MTB) per licence, and a fee for each salmon licence payable to the authorities will remain in place. The current system with two types of licence for salmon farming (special licences and commercial ongrowing) will also remain in place.

After 2009 annual allocation rounds will be held in order to safeguard a balanced growth in production capacity and predictability for the industry. As far as the number of licences, regional allocation and other possible conditions are concerned, the government will return to this in its proposal for the Budget for 2009

Furthermore, a new licences regime for broodstock farms of salmon and trout has been adopted.

Other challenges

The government will continue its work to secure fishery products from Norway access to the global market for, and to avoid or reduce trade barriers.

The government will also continue an active R&D policy and increase its focus on sustainable growth and safe seafood.

The work of limiting the environmental impact of Norwegian aquaculture continues. The authorities have developed regulations, effective tools for efficient inspection and control operational requirements that will reduce the problem of fish escapees. In addition “Vision zero escapees”, a 30 point action plan developed by the authorities to combat escapees, is being implemented.  It is also expected that the industry intensifies its efforts to prevent escapees

The health and welfare of the fish is important in itself and for the industry's reputation and profitability. A comprehensive review of the fish health regulations is in process, and new action plans for individual diseases subject to official control measures will be developed.

The government will initiate a dialogue with the industry’s organisations as regards:

• an industry-financed fund for the financing of the removal and cleaning up of aquaculture-infrastructure left in the sea after production sites  have been closed down, which is based on the industry’s own suggestion, and
• a possible establishment of an industry-financed fund for partial coverage of the fish farmers financial risk in relation to the compulsory slaughtering for fish for disease control purposes. 

Consumer confidence is an important for the competitiveness. Norwegian seafood is, and will continue to be, safe. The Norwegian authorities monitor Norwegian seafood, in order to ensure that the products are healthy and safe for the consumer. The government will contribute to the establishment of a national infrastructure for efficient exchange of information by way of electronic traceability in the food chain before the end of 2010.

 Strategy for a competitive Norwegian aquaculture industry (PDF-format)