The Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries has opened a public consultation on proposed changes to the salmon allocation regulations aimed at facilitating offshore aquaculture. The changes would allow for the allocation of larger areas, along with a requirement to submit a comprehensive plan for the establishment, development, operation, and eventual closure of offshore aquaculture within the designated zones.
“This will ensure biosecure and sustainable development in the areas opened for this new activity. By allocating larger areas, we’re also supporting industrial development and laying the groundwork for infrastructure dedicated to offshore aquaculture,” said Marianne Sivertsen Næss, Minister of Fisheries and the Oceans.
Under the current regulations, only individual locations can be allocated. The proposed changes would enable the designation of larger zones, with a longer-term development outlook. Within each allocated area, operators would be required to prepare detailed plans, including structured site layouts, primarily to ensure biosecure operations.
“Offshore aquaculture represents a major opportunity for sustainable food production in Norwegian waters, and it demands significant regulatory development to enable it. This proposal is another milestone in that process, and I’m pleased to signal support to the companies I know are working strategically and purposefully to take part in this new opportunity at sea,” Sivertsen Næss added.
The development of offshore aquaculture will require entirely new infrastructure—from smolt production and well boats (or other service vessels) to suitable construction technologies and systems for transporting farmed fish. Allocating larger areas will allow companies to plan long-term, enabling phased development while ensuring that projects meet sustainability criteria. Each development must be organized under an area plan that accounts for all relevant regulatory requirements as the project evolves.
Insights and lessons from early projects will be incorporated into these plans and help establish optimal site structures that also consider coexistence with other maritime activities. These area plans will serve as a solid foundation for dialogue and knowledge-sharing with both regulators and other ocean stakeholders.
Offshore aquaculture will also demand a high level of technical and operational expertise. Accordingly, the consultation proposes overarching competency requirements that companies must meet to be eligible for area allocations. These requirements will be further detailed in upcoming regulations governing the competitive allocation process. The Ministry has already initiated a study on the future area allocation regulation, which will mark the next milestone in shaping the regulatory framework for offshore aquaculture.
You can access the consultation here. The deadline for feedback is September 17, 2025.
