Norwegian aquaculture auction sells a fifth of offered capacity

Norway sold 1,560 tonnes of aquaculture production capacity for NOK421 million in an auction on 11 November. The government had offered 7,755 tonnes, leaving 6,195 tonnes unsold. The auction concerned new permits for farming salmon, trout and rainbow trout.

Mowi Seawater Norway won both allocations listed in the results: 780 tonnes in the production area from the Swedish border to Jæren and another 780 tonnes in West Finnmark. The figures describe licensed production capacity, rather than a sale of harvested fish.

The government says 55% of auction revenue will go to municipalities and counties through the Aquaculture Fund. Fisheries Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss said she had hoped more capacity would sell but declined to speculate on companies’ reasons for buying less.