Norwegian fish farming

Salmon farming is Norway’s third largest export industry. It has grown steadily for years, and in 2009 a total of 862.000 tons of were sold for a net price of more than 22 billion Norwegian kroner (approximately Euro 2.75 billion) . Nevertheless, the industry has adverse effects. Most notable among these are escaped salmon which displace and interbreeds with wild salmon in Norwegian rivers, and the spread the salmon lice (a parasite named Lepeophtheirus salmonis). To ensure continued and sustainable growth these effects must be minimized.

Net ponds located in Norwegian fjords are the dominating technology for breeding salmon. However, alternative concepts do exist. One option is floating confided systems, another land-based tank systems (which today primarily is used at the early stages of the breeding process). A further option might be the use of ponds made in concrete.

The Norwegian Board of Technology is now starting up a project which will look at new technological concepts for salmon farming. These will be evaluated with respect to e.g. technological maturity, energy requirements, fish welfare, and their potential for reducing the adverse effects.