Trænabanken to be assessed for impact on offshore aquaculture

Photo: Remi Vigeland

Earlier this year, the Directorate of Fisheries prepared a report recommending three areas for offshore aquaculture, of which Trænabanken off Helgeland was one of the three areas. During his visit to Lovund today, Minister of Fisheries and the Oceans Bjørnar Skjæran announced on behalf of the government that the area will be subject to an impact assessment for offshore aquaculture.

The assessment will look at the consequences related to the environment and other interests in the area. The purpose will be to conduct an assessment of the area's suitability for future aquaculture activities based on available knowledge. The next step is for the Directorate of Fisheries to prepare an assessment program that will be put out for consultation before the process can begin. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries will be responsible for carrying out the actual impact assessment.

- To ensure an efficient and good process, it is important that all relevant stakeholders are given the opportunity to provide input into the assessment, and that we work together to find good solutions for area sharing and coexistence in the open sea, says CEO of Utror, ​​Olav-Andreas Ervik.

Utror looks forward to further collaboration towards the realization of offshore aquaculture

Today's decision reinforces our belief in offshore aquaculture on Trænabanken, and we look forward to further collaboration with authorities, industry players and other land stakeholders to realize offshore aquaculture.

- Utror's belief in the future of offshore aquaculture is strong. We are still in an early phase, but good regulations, predictable framework conditions and technological development will be crucial for offshore aquaculture to become a large and important industry, says Olav-Andreas Ervik.

From left: CEO of Lovundlaks Jacob Palmer, Minister of Fisheries and the Oceans Bjørnar Skjæran, and CEO of Utror Olav-Andreas Ervik.

Photo: Thomas Andreassen