Appeals board rejects bid to revoke Kaldvík fish-farming permits

Iceland’s Appeals Board for Environment and Natural Resources has rejected requests to revoke Kaldvík’s permits for salmon farming in Seyðisfjörður, mbl.is reports.

The board considered appeals from the VÁ! association and owners of coastal properties in the fjord. They challenged the Food and Veterinary Authority’s decision on September 11 to grant an operating permit for a maximum standing biomass of 10,000 tonnes of salmon, including 6,500 tonnes of fertile fish.

The same parties also appealed a September 7 decision by the Environment and Energy Agency to grant an environmental operating licence. They asked the board to suspend the legal effects of that licence while the appeal was being considered.

The board said there are several unresolved issues in both cases. It also warned that the licence holder bears “all the risk” of starting operations under the disputed permits before a final decision on their legality.