New regulations relating to technical standards for floating aquaculture (NYTEK) entered into force on 1 January 2012.
In 2012, no such documentation was required for such components, and the industry has until the end of 2012 to phase out old equipment or get it rated by the new regulations.
"At the same time the requirement that plants at any given time shall be in proper technical condition and that the operation should be technically adequate. We will now verify that the use of old components do not give unacceptable risk of escape," says Tor-Arne Helle of supervision section of the Fisheries Department.
The new NYTEK Regulations shall ensure that Norwegian Standard 9415 on technical requirements for floating fish farms will be applied.
"When the scheme is completely in place from the 1 January 2013 some components may have been taken out of service due to poor technical condition," says Senior Adviser Tor-Arne Helle.
This is in line with the government's "Strategy for an environmentally sustainable aquaculture," where one of the measures is to tighten regulations on technical requirements and standards.
Fisheries Department to Oversee Aquaculture Equipment Changes
NORWAY - During September and October, the Directorate of Fisheries will be ensuring that all aquaculture facilities that are using older components are in proper condition. The department will also be visiting aquaculture sites all over the country.
by Lucy Towers
