Offshore Aquaculture
a new industrial frontier on the Norwegian continental shelf
For over 50 years, we have farmed salmon in coastal Norway. The aquaculture industry has profoundly transformed coastal Norway, marking a clear 'before and after salmon' era. Yet, Norway aims for more. The global demand for Norwegian salmon is immense.
Aquaculture is biological production. The coastal farming industry faces clear biological limitations on how much more can be produced there. However, the world still needs proteins and food, and the ocean represents the most crucial arena for growth.
Therefore, we aim to create a Norway defined by 'before and after offshore aquaculture'.
optimal rearing conditions for salmon
We will move salmon offshore, to its natural element in the Atlantic current. There, we find stable temperatures where salmon thrive, and a consistent, more unidirectional current with limited water exchange with the coastal current.
Lessons learned from 50 years of coastal aquaculture
As we venture into the open ocean, we must leverage the expertise and knowledge gained from over 50 years of aquaculture in Norwegian fjords. By implementing comprehensive plans from day one, engaging mature stakeholders, and adhering to strict biosecurity principles, we can avoid repeating many of the same mistakes.
Norwegian Offshore Expertise
We can establish an entirely new industry for Norway as an industrial nation. To do so, we must build upon our world-leading expertise in offshore operations. For over fifty years, the Norwegian supplier industry and service companies have delivered and managed the operation of complex offshore installations. We can now integrate this unique technological expertise into the aquaculture industry.
Predictable Framework Conditions
We should also look to the petroleum industry and other ocean-based industries when developing framework conditions for offshore aquaculture. In the oil and gas industry, a clear division of responsibilities and roles has been established between authorities and operators. The authorities regulate the sector by setting comprehensive, clear, and predictable frameworks. Industry operators are responsible for operational activities.
Utror believes that when an area for offshore aquaculture is announced, a group of pre-qualified industry players who win a competition should be given preliminary approval to develop a Plan for Development and Operation (PUD) for the area. The PUD should then serve as a crucial basis for applying for an offshore aquaculture permit within the announced area.
A New Profitable Value Chain
By regulating the industry in this manner, we can achieve year-round operations, which is key to maximizing value creation and onshore ripple effects. We ensure profitability throughout the value chain and enhance fish health and welfare. This requires developing new technology, new smolt facilities, new slaughterhouses and processing plants, new wellboats and service vessels, and much – much more.
Offshore aquaculture requires entirely separate value chains – distinct from other aquaculture operations. Only in this way can we avoid transferring the biological challenges associated with coastal aquaculture.
Significant Ripple Effects
At Utror, we are working to establish offshore aquaculture on Trænabanken, off the coast of Helgeland. The potential is enormous. Our region possesses extensive industrial expertise that has supplied the oil and gas industry for decades. We can now unlock new growth opportunities for local industry. Offshore aquaculture requires multi-billion investments. Our plans could create 2,000-3,000 new industrial jobs in Helgeland within just the first ten years.
