This means that all new methods and technologies must demonstrate good fish welfare before they are applied.
Anyone planning to develop or introduce significant changes in the operation must contact the Food Safety Authority (FSA) for review and authorisation.
"We are in favour of development and see that this can have positive effects on both fish health and fish welfare. In addition, they will be important for the environmental sustainability of aquaculture. Innovation, however, shall be made in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act," said Inger Fyllingen, FSA.
That means there is now a general prohibition on adopting new industrial methods and technologies before they have have been tested and found acceptable welfare of the fish.