Bakkafrost gets permission to build smolt station in Ónavík

The local nature conservation committee for Suðuroy has granted Bakkafrost permission to build a smolt station in Ónavík on Lopransfjørður, Kringvarp Føroya reports. The decision was taken two days ago, according to Jaspur Vang, sheriff and chair of the committee.

The ruling will now be submitted to the Superior Nature Conservation Committee, which will make the final decision. The appeal period is one month. Vágur Municipality previously opened the plan for public consultation, with a deadline of 18 January, but no submissions were received, Mayor Bjarni Johansen said.

Bakkafrost CEO Regin Jacobsen said he hopes construction can finally begin. The plan is not new: Jacobsen first publicly announced the proposal in January 2019. The Environment Agency approved the plan in late 2022, and Vágur Municipality has issued conditional building permits on several occasions.

The smolt station in Ónavík will be comparable in size to the company’s existing facilities at Strond and in Skálavík.