The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) has processed the application for the Smart Fish Farm development from SalMar Aker Ocean AS and given a commitment to limited production permits in the Norwegian Sea.
Mattilsynet’s permission is for a maximum of 9,000 tonnes for the first production cycle, advising that consideration of the needs and biology of the fish are very important in the development of new technologies for aquaculture.
SalMar Aker Ocean will be responsible for documenting how the necessary considerations for fish health and fish welfare are taken care of throughout the entire production chain.
It was proposed that the farm should be located outside Norwegian territorial waters and beyond the scope of the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement. But Mattilsynet said that the establishment of facilities there presents challenges for Norway’s free status according to the EEA agreement’s veterinary regulations for certain fish diseases.
In 2019, SalMar Aker Ocean was granted eight development permits for its Smart Fish Farm concept by the Directorate of Fisheries.
Mattilsyn has no role in granting development permits, but processes applications for the establishment of the facility in a specific location. It has also guided and clarified the requirements that must be met for food safety, fish health and fish welfare.
