Kaldvík receives salmon farming licence despite unprecedented opposition

The Food and Veterinary Authority and the Environment Agency have granted Kaldvík an operating licence for 10,000 tonnes of sea-pen salmon farming in Seyðisfjörður, mbl.is reports.

Local opposition to the project has been substantial. The Planning Agency’s assessment described residents’ opposition as unprecedented.

Kaldvík announced the licence in a notice to the stock exchange. It covers Sörlastaðavík, Selstaðavík and Skálanesbót, allowing production of 6,500 tonnes of fertile salmon and 3,500 tonnes of sterile salmon.

With the new licences, Kaldvík is authorised to produce between 43,800 and 53,800 tonnes of salmon in sea pens: 41,000 tonnes of fertile salmon and 12,800 tonnes of sterile salmon.

Vidar Aspehaug, Kaldvík’s chief executive, said the licence marked a milestone for the company and concluded its lengthy licensing process. He said farming in Seyðisfjörður would increase the company’s flexibility and support its long-term development goals.

The timing of construction will depend on development permits. Permit applications for Selstaðavík and Sörlastaðavík are already under way.