The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has said yes to a major investment in hatchery fish in Vevelstad, which is expected to create between 20 and 30 jobs.
On Wednesday, the authority authorised Vevelstad Settefisk's application to start large-scale production of juvenile salmon at Lauknes in Vevelstad municipality.
The estimated investment cost is more than NOK1 billion ($100 million) when the facility is fully developed.
"We've been waiting for this go-ahead. We will now build a ground-breaking hatchery in the heart of Nordland," said Knut Bråthen, CEO of Vevelstad Settefisk.
Before Christmas, the state administrator in Nordland granted a discharge licence for the plant. This meant that both professional bodies that must say yes to the hatchery venture had done so, and everything was ready for Nordland County Council to issue the actual licence.
"There is a shortage of hatchery fish, and we also know that demand will increase in the future in our catchment area. The hatchery fish that will be produced at Lauknes will be attractive to many," added Bråthen.
Vevelstad Settefisk plans to raise between 15 and 20 million salmon smolts a year on land in the new facility. The fish will range in size from 150 grams to one kilo.
The 100-acre site has already been zoned and approved for aquaculture, and the aim is to start construction work as soon as possible.
Vevelstad Settefisk is owned by Aquaculture Innovation, which in turn is owned by Torghatten Aqua, based at Toft in Brønnøysund.
