Norway has struck a cross-party deal to support sustainable aquaculture, aligning fish welfare, environmental priorities and long-term economic growth.
The agreement delays major regulatory reforms by two to four years, providing aquaculture producers with greater predictability and more time to align investments with upcoming environmental standards.
“The cross-party agreement brings a welcome degree of predictability to a sector that’s been grappling with regulatory uncertainty,” said Philip Scrase, chief analyst officer at Seafood analysis and insights provider, Kontali.
“By linking future growth to environmental performance, particularly sea lice reduction, policymakers are signalling a more constructive and long-term approach.”
Lice focus
Kontali said that central to the agreement is that that a potential 2.5% increase in Norway’s Maximum Allowable Biomass (MAB) could be achieved through closed-containment and low-lice technologies, with growth possibly reaching 7% by 2028.
The roadmap includes the development of a new regulatory framework, informed by wide stakeholder consultation, to create stronger incentives for sustainable aquaculture.
Key provisions are expected to reward the use of technologies that improve fish welfare and reduce environmental impacts.
However, concerns remain around the tax regime. Heavy taxation during the sea phase, where most environmental challenges occur, discourages investment in vital innovations like post-smolt facilities and closed systems.
Producers have paused around NOK 40 billion in projects, with 80 to 85% of profits taxed at this stage.
To realise the full potential of the reform, stakeholders say the Norwegian aquaculture sector must see better alignment between regulatory goals and fiscal policy, making fish welfare and environmental performance viable paths to growth.
