Norwegian salmon farmer Eide Fjordbruk has been granted two development licenses for its "Salmon Zero" system, nearly three years after the concept was initially rejected by authorities.
The company was granted one permit for 780 metric tons of biomass, and another permit for 425 metric tons.
Eide Fjordbruk originally applied for three development permits for the closed cage system "Salmon Zero" in 2017.
However, Norway's Directorate of Fisheries ruled the concept did not meet the "significant innovation" condition and rejected the application on December 6, 2017.
Eide Fjordbruk appealed the decision and, on Jan. 7 the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries (NFD) accepted the complaint and decided that the condition for significant innovation was met.
The NFD opposed the Directorate of Fisheries' arguments that Salmon Zero was a continuation of pre-existing technology, but rather that the project as a whole would involve the development of new technology.
Eide Fjordbruk has since sent updated information on the finances of the project and proposals for target criteria, to the Directorate of Fisheries.
