Norway collaborates with the US to identify sustainable aquaculture opportunities

Farmed fish could be crucial to achieving a world without hunger. Although aquaculture can have a large environmental footprint, Norwegian technology makes it possible to produce fish sustainably and with less environmental impact.

The global population is growing rapidly. Today there are over 7 billion people on earth, and the UN forecasts that the population can reach up to 10 billion as early as 2050. Sustainable, large-scale production of nutritious food will be required to make sure that everyone is adequately fed.

Fish and other seafood are some of the most important sources of animal protein, fats, and Omega-3 fatty acids – all of which are vital nutrients. Moreover, aquaculture also has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than many types of meat production.

There are, however, a number of problems associated with intensive, large-scale production of fish. Feces and spilled feed, which may contain nitrogen and phosphorus, can pollute the water column and local environment. Moreover, controlling sea lice without damaging fish or the surrounding ecosystem has been a longstanding challenge.

Meanwhile, as the industry has grown, procuring enough nutritious fish feed has become an issue. Production of essential marine ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil has decreased by half during the past decade.

Emerging technology is helping to solve these problems, and Norway is leading the way. With its extended, biologically diverse coastline and centuries-long fishing traditions, Norway has tremendous expertise in aquaculture and fisheries which the country is applying in technology development.

Aquaculture challenges and opportunities

The aquaculture industry has been one of Norway’s most vibrant and profitable industries for the past decade. Norway is a world leader throughout the aquaculture value chain, thanks to a strong collaboration between business, government and research-based knowledge production and innovation, among other things.

The United States is home to leading knowledge environments and technology environments that can be valuable partners in the future. For instance, developments in land-based fish farming in the United States are very interesting from an international perspective.

The aquaculture industry is facing a number of challenges. These can, however, be viewed as market opportunities for companies to develop and deliver technology to solve them.

One main challenge is the worry about decreasing availability of marine ingredients for fish feed. High-quality feed that meets the nutritional demands of fish, particularly in the larval stage, is essential for healthful, tasty fish. Rotifera, or wheel animals, and Artemia nauplii, or brine shrimp, are the most common live feed organisms used in aquaculture in Europe today.

Meanwhile, soy is the most widely used substitute for fish oil and fishmeal in dry fish feed. Soy, however, may be cultivated at the expense of local ecosystems. The aquaculture industry has to find methods of maintaining nutritional quality while sparing the environment.

Sea lice are one of the most pressing challenges facing marine aquaculture. Drugs and chemicals have been the predominant method of controlling these parasites. But now sea lice have begun to acquire resistance to delousing agents, so new solutions must be found.

Another main challenge for marine aquaculture is that most fish farms are located in fjords or along the coastline. Waste feed, feces, fish escapes and high concentrations of parasites have negative impacts on both the local environment and wild fish stocks.

One way of solving this is by moving facilities to the open ocean, which offers more space for production fish, deeper and naturally well-aerated water, and stronger currents. Ocean currents are particularly effective for reducing the concentration of parasites and pollution that builds up in calmer coastal waters. Greater distance to the shore also minimizes interactions with wild fish and problems such as interbreeding.

Another way of solving the environmental challenges associated with coastal aquaculture is to enclose the fish farms. Closed facilities prevent fish escapes, eliminating risks to wild fish stocks, and allow waste to be collected instead of being released. They also significantly reduce the risk of sea lice outbreaks. Land-based fish farms are yet another option.

US-Norway aquaculture webinar series

To learn more, sign up here for the webinars on September 22 and September 24!