The new measures could reduce sea lice by around 30 percent, Aspaker told a news conference.
"The capacity increase will take effect from 2015," she said.
The government simultaneously abandoned a proposal from a group of experts that would have allowed fish farmers to calculate their quotas (MTB) on a rolling average basis, which could have resulted in an even larger capacity increase.
The long-term average output growth from Norwegian fish farms has been about 10 percent per year.
Several fish farmers, including top producers like Marine Harvest and Cermaq, had criticized the original proposal, arguing the problems with sea lice should get top priority.
"We are very satisfied that the minister is now moving away from the previous proposal of a rolling average MTB," Cermaq Chief Executive Jon Hindar told Reuters, adding that the proposal announced Monday is "consistent with the company's view that the industry needs to keep growing in a sustainable manner".
"At first glance, this is very positive," Hindar said.
But the new plan may limit output growth by even more than the government has proposed, as the environmental goals will be tough to meet, analyst Kolbjoern Giskeoedegaard at Nordea Markets said.
"The conditions are so strict that only companies operating in Troms and Finmark can meet them, said Giskeoedegaard, pointing out that sea lice is a less prevalent phenomenon in Norway's two northernmost counties.
These areas represent about 15-20 percent of the total salmon production in Norway, and several of the fish farmers located there have chosen not to use all of the capacity they have today.
"My assumption is that this will only give a production growth of between 15.000 to 20.000 tonnes next year, which is a very moderate growth", said Giskeoedegaard.
Fish farmers must pay a 1.5 million Norwegian crown ($244,300) fee for each of their 1,000 existing licenses to be allowed to increase output.
The government will not launch any new rounds to award additional licenses until 2017 at the earliest, Aspaker said.
Norway is the world's biggest salmon farmer with around half of the global output and its top producers include Marine Harvest, Salmar, Cermaq, Leroey, Grieg Seafood and Norway Royal Salmon.
The fish farming shares easily outperformed the overall Norwegian stock market, with Marine Harvest up by 1.6 percent and Leroey Seafood the top gainer, up 3.8 percent, by 0940 GMT (5.40 a.m. EDT). The Oslo benchmark index was meanwhile up by 0.3 percent.
On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP detailing certain articles and providing measures for the organization and implementation of the Law on Foreign Trade Management. The Decree takes effect on September 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
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