The number of escaped fish is approaching the goal of zero escapes while the salmon production is growing.
Acts, regulations and standards creates design methods that ensure robust and reliable aquaculture systems for sustainable food production at sea
Over recent years, instances of escape have largely been attributed to work operations, especially while handling nets during lice treatment.
In light of this, revisions have been made to both regulations and technical standards to address these issues and prevent further escapes during work operations.
The purpose of the Aquaculture Act is to promote the profitability and competitiveness of the aquaculture industry within the framework of a sustainable development and contribute to the creation of value on the coast.
Installations and equipment that are used for activities encompassed by this Act shall be properly designed, have the proper characteristics, and be used with the necessary caution. The Ministry prescribe, by the NYTEK-regulation, requirements for the manufacture, use and characteristics of the installations, including the establishment of approval and certification schemes.
Any person who participates in the activities encompassed by this Act shall have the necessary professional competence to carry out such activities.
Any person who contravenes the provisions prescribed in or pursuant to this Act with wilful intent or gross negligence may be punished by fines or imprisonment. In particularly aggravating circumstances, imprisonment for a maximum of two years may be applied. Aiding and abetting and attempts are subject to the same punishment.
A site survey is required prior to the marine fish farm being deployed at the site.
The site survey must be carried out to meet the requirements in NYTEK23.
Aquaculture installations and components shall be designed, constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with best practice and best knowledge, and with satisfactory safety against any failure or accident that may lead to fish escapes.
After deploying the mooring system, a mooring analysis shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements laid down in NYTEK23.
When installed, the final mooring system must be verified prior to the site certification.
All marine fish farms must have a Facility certificate issued by an approved inspection body before the farm is used. The Facility certificate ensures that the main components, construction parts and auxiliary equipment included in the marine fish farm are in sound technical condition, assembled correctly, and adapted to each other according to requirements set out in NYTEK23 and user manuals.
To document that the certified components comply with the requirements defined in NYTEK23, the supplier of the component must be approved by an accredited product certification body. This confirms that the quality system and production meet the requirements laid down in NYTEK23.
Main components (nets, floating collars, barges), structural parts for mooring, and auxiliary equipment that fall under NYTEK23, shall meet the requirements stipulated in the regulation. Product certification is required for the main components and structural parts for mooring.
The aquaculture installation shall at all times be in sound technical condition. Components shall be assembled correctly at all times and adapted to each other in accordance with the facility certificate and with requirements set out in NYTEK23.
All components shall be operated and maintained in accordance with requirements set out in the user manuals.
Defines principles and requirements for the safety, serviceability and durability of structures. A description the basis for their design and verification and gives guidelines for related aspects to preventing fish escape.
Material properties included in the structural design must be documented. This section specifies the demand for material factors to be used and gives criteria for material characteristics.
Defines demands for designing the several structures as a system. Includes criteria for compatibility between main components and auxiliary equipment.
The design of the floating aquaculture facility is based on a site survey. This documents the physical conditions at the site as a basis for the structural design.
Defines loads and load conditions to consider in the structural design of the floating aquaculture farm. Load factors are defined in this section.
These sections gives details regarding specific demands for the different main components, the mooring system and auxiliary equipment.