By the Numbers: Valuing a Decade of Norway's Aquaculture Development Licenses

This week we sat down with acclaimed journalist Alexandra Talty, whose investigative reporting spans oceans, farms, and the global dinner plate. From her experiences covering fisheries and aquaculture to food security and climate resilience, Alexandra brings a grounded, global perspective to the conversation around sustainability in seafood. Alexandra's writing has appeared in publications such as Civil Eats, the New York Times, the Guardian, Outside Magazine, Forbes, The Fish Site, and more.Visit her website to learn more.

This week we break down Norway’s proposed overhaul of its aquaculture licensing system—a seismic shift that could redefine global standards. From scrapping biomass-based licenses to introducing sea lice emission quotas and a mortality tax, the new framework flips traditional input-based regulation on its head. We walk through the 115-page white paper to unpack what this means for farms, investors, and suppliers alike—and why this policy could drive both innovation and industry shakeups.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

Why are salmon prices dropping so dramatically—and why now? This week Tony unpacks one of the most unexpected trends so far this year: the early and steep decline in Norwegian salmon prices. With insights pulled from two decades of pricing data, fresh export stats, and market commentary, we explore why this drop is different, whether it could have been predicted, and what it means for farmers, exporters, and supply chain businesses going forward. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What can other fish farms learn from Mattilsynet's ongoing system audits? This week, we break down the existing 2024–2025 Mattilsynet (The Norwegian Food Safety Authority) audits - Norway’s deep dive into fish welfare, risk management, and internal controls across some of the country’s largest salmon producers. From widespread regulatory devations to surprising gaps in how farms assess and act on risk, we explore what these findings reveal about the state of the industry today, and why they matter far beyond Norway.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.Download the whitepaper here.

This week we’re taking a thorough look at Greek aquaculture - how it became the EU’s top producer, what the 2009 debt crisis taught the industry, and why seabass and seabream farming still hold untapped potential. From historical growth and financial restructuring to the wild story of how seabass was first bred in captivity, this episode breaks down the past, present, and future of one of the Mediterranean’s most resilient seafood sectors. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

This week we’re back and exploring the latest Q4 financial reports of 2024 from the world’s top publicly traded salmon companies. While the holiday season brought profitability across the board, the real story lies in the strategic shifts companies are making - especially MOWI’s industry-shaking moves. From acquiring Nova Sea to potentially selling its feed division, MOWI is making bold bets on efficiency and scale. What does this mean for the industry, and how will competitors respond? Tune in for a deep dive into the numbers, key industry trends, and the strategic plays that could define the next era of salmon farming. Download our quarterly report here.For more aquaculture insights, head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

Is the future of sea lice management in Norway shifting toward automation? In this episode, we break down Norway’s latest push for mandatory automated sea lice counting, a move that could redefine how farms monitor and manage lice outbreaks. We discuss into key takeaways from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s new regulatory plans, insights from DNV’s latest report on automated lice monitoring, and Manolin’s latest analysis on the 2024 sea lice season, revealing how record-high temperatures contributed to a surge in lice infestations. But with more data, will farms actually see better outcomes—or just more regulation? Tune in for a sharp look at the intersection of technology, policy, and farm management. For more aquaculture insights, head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

Fresh off this past week's presentation at the NFI global seafood market conference, we’re expanding on the narrative surrounding AI—viewed by some as humanity's greatest threat and by others as its most remarkable invention. Join us as we tackle the recent upheaval caused by DeepSeek's new AI model, which not only disrupted global tech valuations but also showcased breakthrough capabilities that challenge established AI constraints. This episode offers a detailed exploration of how such innovations could profoundly impact aquaculture, from cost and data challenges to the potential in protein folding for sustainable seafood practices. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

How are Chile’s salmon farms grappling with the rising use of antibiotics, and how does this compare on a global scale? This week we look into the nuanced issue of antibiotic usage in Chile's aquaculture, highlighted by a 22% increase in the first half of 2024. We contrast these figures with global antibiotic usage trends to provide a comprehensive view. Despite the alarming headlines, initiatives like CSARP+ and the Yelcho project are in place, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2025. Explore the real stories behind these numbers, evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts, and discuss the broader implications for managing antibiotic resistance in aquaculture worldwide. Join us as we unravel the data, dissect industry strategies, and ponder the global efforts needed to tackle this pressing issue. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What role have Norwegian development licenses played in reshaping their salmon farming landscape? This week we explore the retrospective business case of these transformative licenses introduced in 2015. As instrumental as they've been, the actual outcomes and impacts might surprise you. We unpack the original intent behind these licenses, the ambitious projects they've spawned, and the tangible and strategic shifts they've brought to the industry. From floating fish farms to the global ripple effects in regulatory landscapes, this episode breaks down the intricate dance between innovation and regulation.  For more aquaculture insights, head to our Fish n' Bits blog.