Novel designs granted preliminary approval
Two revolutionary salmon farming concepts have been given a major fillip, following positive feedback from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.
Over the weekend the government body has revealed that up to four development licences could be issued for Marine Harvest’s ‘Egg’ system and that “one of more” licences for the Atlantis Subsea Farming’s submersible cage is also being considered.
The Egg is a novel closed-containment design, developed in conjunction with Hauge Aqua. The project intends to scale up the design over the course of three phases, and by the final stage each egg will have a 20,000m3 capacity.
The Directorate has now informed Marine Harvest that the concept qualifies in general for the development licenses scheme and that they may award four development licenses for this project.
Although the producer had originally applied for 14 licences, a press release issued by MH this morning states they are: “…very pleased with the positive feedback from the Directorate of Fisheries and we are encouraged to see that the authority shares our view that the Egg concept represents a new technology which may contribute to move the salmon industry forward. We will continue to work with the authorities, and hope they will reach a final conclusion imminently in order for the project to commence.”
This follows on from an announcement made by Atlantis – which is owned by Akva, Sinkaberg-Hansen and Egersund Net – on Saturday that the Directorate had decreed that the company’s: “concept for submersible farms falls within the general scope of the scheme for awarding development fish-farming licenses, and that the Directorate now will consider the concept further with a view to award one or more licenses. The company will now engage in a process with the Directorate of Fisheries were requested additional information will be provided, including target financial criteria for the concept.”
