Expect the unexpected
The concepts being drawn up for future development licence applications in Norway are likely to be “even more extraordinary” than those already registered.
This is the view that Leif Magne Sunde, research manager in Operations and Management at the Aquaculture Technology department of SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture, expressed to Fish Farming Expert.
Speaking about the licencing process he explained: “The application process is open for two years in total, meaning that companies still have 18 months to submit new ideas. However, the Fisheries Minister said that it will be increasingly hard for later proposals to be accepted, as only unique concepts will be considered and licences won’t be granted for similar ideas.
“As a result, the concepts that come in from now on are likely to be even more extraordinary.”
Given the bizarre line-up of applications to date – there have been 26 so far, ranging from ‘eggs’, to ‘donuts’ – it will be interesting to see what else emerges at companies seek ever-more original ways to expand production in Norway.
Chance of success?
Magne Sunde says that it is too early to make predictions about which concepts, if any, of those already applied for are likely to work, should they gain approval, although he notes that some have a long way to go.
“There is a wide range in practical terms – some are quite mature and well-developed concepts, others appear to have been made on a Sunday afternoon,” says.
As a result, he feels it’s too early to make any predictions. However, he also believes that the creativity that is being inspired by the initiative can only be good for the industry.
“Although it’s very hard to pick the winners at this early stage, the process will be good for the industry regardless and will certainly lead to long-term advances in the industry,” he concludes.
A longer version of this interview will feature in the next issue of Fish Farming Expert magazine.
