The Norwegian Parliament has announced a cross-party agreement that will maintain the current aquaculture regulations, including the “traffic light” system and biomass limits, until a new legal framework is established, expected to be finalised between 2026 and 2029, as per miSpeces.com.
The agreement involved six political parties, including both the governing Labour Party and the opposition Conservatives. It aims to provide regulatory stability while introducing new incentives for environmental practices. In the meantime, a new scheme will reward fish farming companies that successfully lower their ecological impact.
“This broad agreement seriously addresses environmental challenges while safeguarding jobs along the coast,” said Erling Sande, chair of the Parliament’s business committee and a member of the Centre Party. He emphasised that protecting small and medium-sized producers and ensuring income for coastal communities were crucial aspects of the deal.
Next steps on aquaculture reform
As part of this compromise, feasibility studies on a revised production quota model that may link company allocations to their specific biomass limits will be carried out. There will also be an analysis of the potential effects of removing the maximum biomass system entirely, examining its implications for company values, ownership structures, and access to funding.
Fisheries Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss praised the agreement, calling it “a step forward for predictability for the industry and coastal communities.” The deal is scheduled for a final parliamentary vote today.
This arrangement comes after the aquaculture sector pushed back against previous government proposals aimed at implementing stricter environmental regulations, such as limits on sea lice emissions and penalties for fish escapes and mortality. Those proposals will now be subject to further consultation.
