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HAVBRUK2-Stort program for havbruksforskning

Development licenses as a driver for innovation in fish farming - Effects on technology, industry and regulation

Alternative title: Utviklingstillatelser som en driver for innovasjon i fiskeoppdrett - Effekter på teknologi, industri og regulering

Awarded: NOK 10.7 mill.

The Norwegian aquaculture industry has challenges related to salmon lice, escape of farmed fish and fish welfare. With the goal of a technology lift that could solve these challenges, the authorities introduced development licenses in 2015. The arrangement was temporary, and these special permits for salmon farming should be awarded to concepts that contributed to significant innovation. The Directorate of Fisheries received a total of 104 applications. The aim of DEVELOP (Development licenses as a driver for innovation in fish farming Effects on technology, industry and regulation) has been to study the effects of development licenses. This has provided knowledge about the effects of development permits as a strategy for innovation in the aquaculture industry and contributes to knowledge-based management. Effects in five key areas have been studied: 1. technology development, 2. actors involved in technology development and innovation, 3. ownership and transfer of knowledge, 4. industry structure and 5. government regulation. Methods used in this work include document analysis, interviews, and workshops. Innovations in different parts of the value chain have been important for the development of the Norwegian aquaculture industry, and the suppliers have played an essential part (Afewerki et al. 2022). Based on interviews with 44 people with different roles in the development license projects we find that the policy has contributed to a mobilization of both established aquaculture suppliers and suppliers from other sectors (Afwerki et al. 2023b). The policy was reserved for sea-based production and asked for unique technological concepts that would be demanding for applicants to realize on their own. Financial risk relief is provided in the form of free production permits (with a duration of up to 15 years), which can be converted into ordinary permits when the goal of the development project is reached. DEVELOP has studied response letters to applicants for development permits to uncover and categorize prominent technological directions proposed. In the farm design category, most applicants proposed closed farming technology, followed by traditional cages, semi-submersible platforms, rigid floaters, and partially closed concepts. Applicants with semi-submersible platforms, closed facilities and rigid floaters received the most permits to test their technology (Føre et al. 2022). A study of the interaction between different special permits and the ordinary permit regime in aquaculture shows that the complexity of the regulatory system has increased over time (Osmundsen et al. 2022). Analyses of interview data show that as a political instrument, the development permits are both a measure to achieve one's own goals (technology development) and a means to achieve overall political goals (environmentally sustainable growth). In addition, the actors and the public administration must comply with the existing regulatory framework, and the framework conditions for the industry also affect the innovation processes. The project takes a closer look at interaction and conflicting objectives between these goals, and this is studied from an actor perspective and a system perspective. Possible effects of development licenses and technology development from an international perspective has been explored in collaboration with an international expert advisory board. Discussions in the group have shown prominent challenges, and drivers for innovation in aquaculture in different geographical regions. Even though several challenges are the same across countries, government-initiated innovation is particular for Norway. Results from the project have been presented at several national and international conferences during the project period. The project was funded by the Research Council of Norway (2020-2023) and is managed by SINTEF Ocean. NTNU Social Research, NORCE and the University of Tromsø are research partners. Representatives from the aquaculture industry, the supplier industry and the authorities participate in a reference group to ensure relevance and dialogue with the target groups. References: Afewerki S., Asche F., Misund B., Thorvaldsen T., Tveterås R. (2023a) Innovation in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. Reviews in Aquaculture Afewerki, S., Osmundsen, T., Olsen, M.S., Størkersen, K., Misund, A., Thorvaldsen, T. (2023b) Innovation policy in the Norwegian aquaculture industry: Reshaping aquaculture production innovation networks. Marine Policy Føre HM., Thorvaldsen T., Osmundsen T., Asche F., Tveterås R., Fagertun JT., Bjelland HV. (2022) Technological innovations promoting sustainable salmon (Salmo Salar) aquaculture in Norway. Aquaculture Reports Osmundsen, T., Olsen, M.S., Gauteplass, A., Asche, F. (2022). Aquaculture Policy: Designing licenses for environmental regulation. Marine Policy, 138, 104978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.104978

Kunnskap fra prosjektet har bidratt til innsikt i hvordan utviklingstillatelsen har påvirket teknologiutvikling, aktørbildet innenfor innovasjon i havbruksnæringen og samarbeidsrelasjoner dem imellom. Videre har prosjektet gitt kunnskap om hvordan regulering av næringen påvirkes, når innovasjonstakten blir høy og hvordan ulike prosjekter har utfoldet seg over tid. Implementering av kunnskapen fra prosjektet vil trolig vise seg på flere områder, både innenfor forskning, næring og forvaltning. Forskning: Prosjektet har bidratt med publikasjoner innenfor flere tema. Publikasjonene har allerede fått flere siteringer, som viser at kunnskapen tas opp av andre forskere. Vi har også formidlet kunnskapen på konferanser og til prosjektets International Advisory Board, og forventer å se flere siteringer som synliggjør at kunnskapen fra prosjektet anvendes videre. Næring: Gjennom prosjektets aktiviteter (intervjuer, arbeidsmøter) har vi hatt kontakt med mange av aktørene som har tatt og tar del i utviklingstillatelsesprosessene. Vi har også hatt jevn kontakt med industrien gjennom referansegruppen og formidlet på ulike arena hvor næringen samles i løpet av prosjektperioden. Forvaltning: Prosjektet har hatt jevn dialog med myndighetene gjennom prosjektets referansegruppe. Prosjektet sendte også innspill til Havbruksutvalget som kom med sin rapport i 2023. Innspillet baserte seg i tre premisser som bør være til stede i videre utvikling og utforming av forvaltningssystemet: teknologinøytralitet, en helhetlig tilnærming til bærekraft og at en effektiv forvaltning muliggjøres.

DEVELOP will study the effects of development licenses in fish farming, a policy instrument launched by the Norwegian government to encourage technological innovation for a more sustainable aquaculture industry. Demands for considerable innovation and investments set the stage for unique concepts that will influence the industry in the years to come. Effects of development licenses will be studied on technological development and risk, actors in the innovation eco-system, knowledge ownership and transfer, industry structure and regulations. Applications for development licenses will be reviewed to assess which technological directions fish farming may take in the future, potential risks and how they are managed, and to map actors, networks and collaborative constellations. Case studies and interviews will be used to further explore these topics, as well as knowledge creation and diffusion and industry structure. Regulatory gaps and responses will be analyzed through interviews with regulators and industry. Workshops will also be used to gather empirical data and engage with stakeholders throughout the project. Possible effects of development licenses in a global perspective will be examined in workshops and through cooperation with international experts. The project will be carried out in close collaboration between SINTEF Ocean, NTNU Samfunnsforskning, NORCE and the University of Tromsø. The project team have extensive knowledge of aquaculture, combining expertise of technology, innovation, economics, organization, regulation and risk. An international advisory board will add further expertise to the project.

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HAVBRUK2-Stort program for havbruksforskning