Norway’s Fisheries and Coastal Affairs is considering amending the rules for ownership, allowing salmon farms to own more than 25 percent of the sector’s total standing biomass.In July of this year, the regulations were deemed in violation of European Economic Area rules, with Norway not being able to prove that ownership ceilings are suitable or necessary.
Marine Harvest, which in 2010 took part in a complaint filed with the European Free Trade Agreement’s Surveillance Authority (EPA), arguing that Norway’s ownership restrictions were preventing it from growing.
“Marine Harvest believes the changes will strengthen local communities and scientific research and create value both for the companies and Norway as a fish farming nation,” the company said.
The 25 percent limit was introduced in 2003, down from a previous cap of 35 percent.
