The Norwegian government has unveiled a new strategy for regulating the aquaculture industry, shifting the focus from production limits to environmental and animal welfare impact. The plan, detailed in White Paper No. 24, translated as Future Aquaculture – Sustainable Growth and Food for the World, was presented by Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss. It proposes a quota-based system to manage sea lice emissions, replacing current biomass-based limits.
“Today’s rules don’t offer enough incentives for sustainable operations. The new system will reward lower environmental impact and better fish welfare,” said Minister Næss.
Under the plan, sea lice emissions will be regulated through tradable quotas. These will be set according to the carrying capacity of local marine environments. All salmon producers must participate, with no transfer of quotas between different regulatory zones.
The government also intends to eliminate company-level production caps, arguing that they discourage investment in cleaner technology. Licenses will still be required but will no longer specify production volume or species. New licenses will be issued via auction, and existing ones will be converted to site-specific licenses.
To improve fish welfare, a fee will be introduced for fish lost during production. High mortality is often linked to sea lice treatments, which the government aims to reduce without compromising welfare standards. The fee will begin at a low level and may increase over time.
The proposed framework is technology-neutral, allowing operators to choose how to meet environmental goals. The government believes this approach will support innovation, reduce emissions, and improve the industry’s reputation.
The proposal has been submitted to Parliament and will go through a standard public consultation process before final regulations are implemented.
