Therefore, given Salmar no – Adresseavisen

SalMars proprietary cage farming far out to sea did not reach up when the Directorate of Fisheries in the summer handing out ten licenses for the testing of new technology.

In a 20-page complaint letter Adresseavisen spoke Tuesday turn Salmar entrepreneur Gustav Witzøe sharply against the list group behind the awards.

One of Witzøe main objection is that the list group only chose to focus on one technology, namely closed manufacturing facility.

– We have emphasized different types of closed facilities throughout the licensing process. In our opinion, the enclosed facility that has the best effect on lice and escape the problems in the aquaculture industry, says Research Group Leader Ove Midttun to Adressa.no.

Partly closed

SalMars havmerd Ocean Farming consists of a semi-submersible steel construction is designed to withstand extreme conditions at sea. Salmon trapped by the same type of lattice used to landslide. Salmar mean strong ocean currents will carry with them lice larvae, so that the infection pressure is greatly reduced.

The problem, according Midttun is that the facility is fully open.

– Offshore construction they had found we were OK. But we thought other applicants gave better response to environmental challenges. In closed systems has control of sea lice and escapes the problems, he said.

In eight of the ten plants that have been authorized, the salmon are kept in closed cages until it reaches a weight of between 0.6 and 2 kilos. Then it moves into open cages of the same type as those used today.

– The point is that the exposure time for lice will be reduced quite a bit, while it will give more time for fallowing. Therefore, the closed facilities in parts of the production cycle a good measure that prevents the propagation of lice, says Midttun.

Conservation Society: closings are best

In the long term, the Norwegian authorities, the aim is to multiply the production of Norwegian seafood. Should it be possible, the production moved further out from shore, according Witzøe the hymns.

– It may be one way to do it, but for us the list group was not the most important. For us purely to find concepts that provide answers to environmental challenges in the industry, and where we can get a technological development, responding Midttun.

Also Naturvernforbundet hold a button on the closed cages.

– Closed system is the best solution for the environment. I do not know the details of SalMars concept, but it appears to have both positive and negative sides. Lice and viruses can still get in, there is risk of escape, and waste will remain on the seabed under the cage, says adviser Jorunn Vallestad.

complaints from Psalms and others are now handled by the professional team. Selects list group to maintain refusals to those who have complained, the complaint submitted to the Industry and Fisheries Ministry for final decision.