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The ASC’s Concerns with Norway’s New Tax on Sustainable Fish
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has expressed significant concerns regarding Norway’s recent imposition of a tax specifically targeting ASC certified fish at a rate of 1.5 NOK per kg. This move, according to the ASC, will lead to unintended and severe environmental repercussions for the Norwegian aquaculture sector.
An Economic Penalty for Sustainability
This newly introduced financial burden applies only to ASC certified farmers, who already adhere to stricter environmental and social standards than those established by Norwegian authorities. Curiously, less stringent sustainability schemes remain unaffected by this tax. The ASC worries that this could potentially undermine environmental efforts in the aquaculture industry, weakening environmental gains and increasing reputational risks for Norwegian salmon.
Rosing from the ASC commented, “Instead of promoting sustainability, this tax creates a zero-sum game. The consequence is weaker environmental standards.”
The Lack of Transparency and Dialogue
The ASC has made several attempts to communicate with Norwegian authorities since the tax’s announcement. In January, they even sent a [formal letter to the Ministry of Finance](https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.0ESTRulzN-2BjxVyrmVjnMJisaDfYSjX-2FD7KDqi55jAstu4u85lah0wW0jML54BRRoMKIIPgqrKj767MGF8XNWQsEEpVO7-2FF2wNXpofzcMYBqNCUYS9lhIyfLHoxsVu9YIrz0R8D7jkEqyB6ZNTsEEmv5p2Pw2Q7gf4NopPqk4LH16YObA1IHVMwY79xXC4OyYLVCEE2v8qYm7jiLiIjhar4tPKxFcsHN8af-2FrD6jIozT4G19IbDpPe7RMbEFgSg7znLwdC5Je9Q-2FnklzSHEMcHHNr558-2FmeKg6LyXbB65wiO4RtlPPkZILP50LaE8sP2hyuz7G4uaUnI1Lw4d8haVrlGvCu47-2Bp4N5hJY1iEdHO8rQPLRI-2BqnsrsdKV5jn9O2aF0ID5QLujFdyPTCs-2FdssJxW4UJu8q2va57gv8OjKKNI2dUwo8wlMeOn2m0BhjdA8S4pTZP-2FXZ7eqEB5rVHmYGv-2FU2VzGBLg76Oxp1P1nEh-2B2yJF494-2BjUS0od-2FmXOgLcIOH34opkdmPLR5qvW6IraMrjXNfKEgNPdW28EyOQqwBvjbSd56QZ7hkvRqsjUvRguOBMi3XSYwJgeF0sCo-2BuCsdDpryiLOLWJy5MlrObhX-2FUK-2FN-2Fw6D2VHBDWDvBUKTYOsfOeLvp9nmg2iAZO6RxvK9NJ-2BXUMuHjVrN0DjJJtDY-2B6NX3AiV-2FolDWEfdIgeULD-2Fhga6z3dk5SiSf0CNmQj-2FUVAOlRSUvaRFnp2dI4zX2kwcvZ-2Bs7xhV6T7qSIRsYXdlJMiBM842WgtyYifZNh8NY-2FGXfAtA8XcMXZ9r0uXTmt8d5W2iE2TXlCyljnXoWRXqdYbxcd0303pyn0idA9CykcKsCL4R1Eqao-2BTwUQlD-2B23M0wi-2F2K-2Ba7j3-2BIYsaurJHvq-2FXh-2F6R8h-2Fa1d9EXZg-3D-3DwgZk_mEqZ3B1tAQz-2F3pGyv-2Bve8CEGIjBj-2Fl-2BY0UKhHL4ax9eRqwz6AKNin-2F5-2B14WR0sYtt27hgn0tHMovqBjeFv2oX72pvHu6lxhPXcq7hqYEMPHsJR0NvUSVAIqDKSatW5KZkSxuQKL5gQE1cA3ExVvgqYM0ku2QK4kQwQvOjFCD2qk5sA1-2Fu6zAIeJIDW3BX0QABgRs9wxXfGVKt3mf8tBbEiWkGdDrKUbYXpbIRY0Rph9uyombIGVCQSKWuyX2V-2FfUm-2BhNRaZP5F8teMcBauBGivpQi0Qs37IMSghnkd-2B4yytRmESJ656Q54xh6LGV7anf5QPjW5RiKcPImr1qa0TjYW9nRTni9MwotxOfH0MYMRh0PEzxeZdADrbavsVoRzLfDWX5WtRAVp-2F1BLGPzBkVFQ-3D-3D&data=05%7C02%7Cmhurtado%40phoenixmedianet.com%7Cc0b9a5f28b9d4c642a8d08dd57fad4e9%7C09c7466d9d91422d9fb258d282286b55%7C0%7C0%7C638763457039471011%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&;sdata=3iiG2Y8midwg4RV18mZGkDsRnZomY24ukcnATAUfMfg%3D&reserved=0), urging a meeting. Yet, they have been consistently ignored. “How can an internationally recognized environmental organization be completely ignored?” asks Rosing.
Consequences for Industry and Market
By imposing this tax, the Norwegian authorities send a rather perplexing message: sustainability doesn’t pay. Potential repercussions could include:
– Increased reputational risk for Norwegian salmon as export markets are demanding stronger sustainability commitments.
– Reduced investment in innovation as manufacturers may hesitate to embark on new sustainable projects.
– A notable setback in global sustainability goals, weakening the ASC’s ability to reinvest certification revenues into more responsible aquaculture projects.
Rosing urges, “We ask the Norwegian authorities to reconsider this decision and enter into a dialogue to find a fair solution that doesn’t penalize those leading the way toward a more sustainable future.”
About the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
The ASC is a leading organization in certifying responsibly farmed seafood worldwide. Their standards are highly robust, ensuring that seafood bearing their label has been farmed with care for the environment and society. Their vision sees aquaculture playing a crucial role in both meeting food needs and minimizing environmental harm.
About Atlantic Sapphire ASA
Atlantic Sapphire ASA is pioneering land-raised salmon farming through its innovative Bluehouse® approach. Operating initially in Denmark, the Company expanded to Florida, USA, where it can annually harvest up to 9,500 tons of salmon. Future expansions plan to increase capacity significantly, marking a stride towards sustainable, localized protein production. Visit their site at [Atlantic Sapphire](https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.0ESTRulzN-2BjxVyrmVjnMJngauEqgykRjk9-2Bs587-2FjDOkDyD3O9oP03iLAvMoq71SR6Hm_mEqZ3B1tAQz-2F3pGyv-2Bve8CEGIjBj-2Fl-2BY0UKhHL4ax9eRqwz6AKNin-2F5-2B14WR0sYtt27hgn0tHMovqBjeFv2oX72pvHu6lxhPXcq7hqYEMPHsJR0NvUSVAIqDKSatW5KZkSxuQKL5gQE1cA3ExVvgqYM0ku2QK4kQwQvOjFCD2qk5sA1-2Fu6zAIeJIDW3BX0QABgRs9wxXfGVKt3mf8tBbEiWkGdDrKUbYXpbIRY0Rph9cylKyzHVCUb5Gl4YEZcHO6Srb8SWgMwApGw1luE4eQjhp6M1w3UBvaidrVxs6Z8qoH8OCI2bAnFAECo9TDDjzbFkvxOknX0DrILfauz84b8Y00-2BA9SNFED51YSIK4hcULKYDPXYMep80GaoDGQDRW8TO3xRW3WHxNWg-2FAT98guA-3D-3D&data=05%7C02%7Cmhurtado%40phoenixmedianet.com%7Cc0b9a5f28b9d4c642a8d08dd57fad4e9%7C09c7466d9d91422d9fb258d282286b55%7C0%7C0%7C638763457039496127%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&;sdata=m9blITpUOyRI1qNKabUlQ4EpJnjO3NL9NTHPJVxUXpQ%3D&reserved=0) for more details about their sustainable practices.
