” Norwegian Aquaculture – Management Policies and Regulations”

Ministers, ladies and gentlemen,

First, I would like to thank Mr. Krayniy and Mr. Kamp for interesting and inspiring presentations. 

As you have both mentioned, seafood is an important source of income and also a part of lif in all our countries. This connects us, and it gives us a common ground for meeting every year. Personally, I find it very inspiring to meet fellow ministers and colleagues, that are committed to the same task as I am – ensuring future seafood production.  

Our governments and the seafood industry have different roles and responsibilities. However; they both depend on each other to succeed. Furthermore, I believe that cooperation between our nations is essential for us to develop as seafood producers. In order to make us all better and more robust, we should learn from each other’s experiences and share our knowledge. And – what could possibly be a better place to do that, than here? 

The oceans provides Norway with cold and clear waters. This, together with the shape of our coast makes perfect conditions for harvesting and aquaculture production. The seafood industry is important to Norway, both industrially and culturally. We export seafood to all corners of the world. The industry also contributes to employment and  the livelihood to many people living along our long and crooked coast.

Over the past five decades, aquaculture, and the production of salmon and trout in particular, has experienced rapid growth in Norway. Over time, the aquaculture industry has become a vital and a substantial contributor to the Norwegian economy. 

Initially, the Norwegian aquaculture industry started out with small players with a learning-by-doing attitude. The industry has since grown into a highly professional, technical and vital industry for our country. Aquaculture alone contributes to the employment of about 8500 people. But, if the ripple effects for associated industries are included, the number increases to 21 000 people. To some of you this may seem like small numbers. But I can assure you that for small coastal communities, like where I come from, these jobs can make a world of a difference. 

I am proud to tell you that in 2011 the Norwegian production of Atlantic salmon passed 1 million tons. In 2012 the production of salmon and trout totalled close to 1, 2 million tonnes. The export value of this production was in 2012  4,2 billion EUR, representing 61 percent of the total Norwegian seafood exports. 

In short, the development of the salmon farming industry is one of Norway’s greatest success stories.

I usually say that there are 3 main reasons for the success of the production of salmon and trout in particular:

• Firstly, we have highly skilled fish farmers,
• Secondly, there is a close co-operation between the industry, the authorities and the research institutes,  
• And finally, we have a strict legal framework that regulates everything from production capacity, technical equipment, to fish health and welfare, food safety, pollution prevention etc., etc.

I have recently sent a White Paper to the Norwegian Parliament where I have set some goals for the future development of the seafood industry in Norway. And, I am committed to make Norway the world’s foremost seafood nation. I see this not only as a vision, but a realistic and attainable goal. Aquaculture will have to play a key role in achieving this.

As of today, Norway is one of the world’s biggest exporters of seafood and farmed fish. However; in order to sustain our position, we have to ensure that the harvest of the sea and aquaculture is adapted to the marine environment. It is therefore my opinion,  that we should enable growth and competitiveness, within environmentally sustainable frameworks.

I 2009, the Norwegian Government launched a Strategy for an Environmentally Sustainable Norwegian Aquaculture Industry. This document is important to the further development of Norwegian aquaculture. 

The Strategy focuses on five areas where aquaculture may have a negative impact on the environment. The five areas are

• Genetic interaction and escapees,
• Pollution and effluents,
• Diseases, including sea lice,
• The use of coastal areas, and
• Feed and feed resources

The Strategy gives an overview of crucial environmental issues. It also sets goals that should be achieved in each of the focus areas, and describes which measures should be taken to combat these issues. 

As of today, escapees and sea lice, are seen as the most significant environmental challenges in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. As a reinforcement of the Strategy, the Norwegian government has started the development and implementation of indicators that can measure the effect of escapees and sea lice on wild stock. These indicators, will give us a tool that can more precisely manage the aquaculture industry, and ensure its sustainability.  Accordingly measures taken relateto the degree of influence.  Actions will depend on the degree of influence on the environment as well as the vulnerability of the affected stock of wild salmon. 

In order to ensure sustainability, the Norwegian Parliament has recently made changes in the Environmental Chapter in the Aquaculture Act. There will be a common industrywide responsibility for the cost related to escaped fish. We are also providing a legal framework stating the requirments for the use of sterile fish and the individual tagging of farmed fish. There will also be stricter fees for violation of the law and regulations.

The aquaculture industry has grown rapidly since it started in the 1970´s.  But, as I already mentioned, the industry in Norway faces several environmental challenges. Addressing the aquaculture site structure is key to finding the solutions to several of the industry’s challenges. This is how to pave the way for further growth and development.

Traditionally, the authorities have focused on the environmental and fish health effect of  a single aquaculture site. With increased production we are in need of better planning in the future, and the government intends to make a new structure for aquaculture sites. The new structure will be based on a zoning principle – a management principle many of you are well aware of. By doing this we aim to achieve  a balanced co-existence of different interests; both for the public, aquaculture and other industries.

Most ongrowing farms in Norway are open cage systems, based on the same technological principles that  the pioneers of salmon farming used 40 years ago. However, these are exciting times for aquaculture in my country. Totally new technologies are being developed and the traditional production methods are being refined. Many inventors have worked to find solutions that will help solve the environmental challenges the industry is faced with. Now it is time to take the ideas from the drawing board and use them in real life.

To give the development an extra push the Norwegian government has decided to allocate 45 new technology oriented licenses for salmon and trout in 2013. To get such a licence one has to apply technologies that is are likely to reduce the environmental impact from escapees and sea lice.  However, we will not make requirements for a specific technology. We require that the technology used should limit the environmental impact on wild salmonid stock. Hence, the requirements are technology neutral and impact-based. It is our intention that this will contribute to commercialising new and more sustainable technology. 

In a long-term perspective, I believe that further growth and development in the seafood industry is inevitable and necessary. Seafood is a healthy and tasty source of protein, which can be used to feed the growing population of the world. It must, however, be emphasised that the development and growth must be in balance with what nature can handle. As you know, Norway surely has a few challenges to combat before we can reach our goal of becoming the world's foremost seafood nation. But, I am committed to doing my very best to get there. In doing so, I hope to ensure more seafood and exchange our  knowledge and experiences with eachother. 

The future of aquaculture policy is right here, right now. Thank you for your attention!