The management of Norway's coastal zone faces new challenges in light of increasing aquaculture activity and the need for sustainable land use. Aquaculture, particularly salmon farming, plays a significant role in Norway's economy but also impacts the coastal environment. Finding a balance between economic growth and environmental considerations is crucial for the future sustainable management of coastal areas.

This project investigates how decisions regarding the location of aquaculture facilities can align with the goals of increased environmental sustainability and the opportunities and challenges involved in ensuring a sustainable development of the aquaculture industry.

Project Goals

The project focuses on the management of the Norwegian coastal zone and how decisions regarding aquaculture location affect sustainable land use. The central research question is how the location of salmon farming facilities aligns with the goals of increased environmental sustainability. We study the interplay between economic interests and environmental considerations, and the factors influencing how well these goals harmonize. The aim is to identify constraints and opportunities for enhanced sustainability in decisions regarding the placement of cages in the coastal zone.

Method and Approach

The project is divided into several phases. First, we analyze a comprehensive dataset on the environmental status along the coast, combining scientific, legal, and social science insights. We map both environmental status and the locations of aquaculture facilities along the coast, coordinating environmental and geographical information to achieve the best possible overview for further analysis through selected case studies.

Simultaneously, we investigate decision-making processes related to the placement of aquaculture facilities, which are then compared with environmental outcomes. This allows us to study how different types of decisions affect land use and environmental status.

The case studies are based on an analytical framework for multi-level governance, where we first examine the variation in decisions at the municipal and county levels. We then compare the results with the environmental status mapped in the first phase. This provides important knowledge about opportunities and barriers to increased sustainability in aquaculture management through strategic use of the coastal zone.

Preliminary Findings

In 2023, we held a kick-off meeting with project partners, where we discussed various approaches and explanatory models to be included in the case studies. The meeting generated significant engagement from the partners and will be repeated. In a pilot case study of attitudes toward the expansion of aquaculture sites in ten municipalities, we found that the municipalities' dependence on aquaculture companies explains the majority of the variation in attitudes, both for and against expansion. We also found that changes in business structure, such as mergers and a reduction in local ownership, can increase environmental considerations in municipal attitudes toward aquaculture. Larger municipalities appear to be more negative toward expansion, even when environmental challenges are minimal.
 

Project period: 2023-2027