The Norwegian government announced that NOK 20 million ($2 million) will be allocated for research on the development of fish feed based on Norwegian raw material. The funding is proposed to be managed by the Research Council of Norway. The government will facilitate the business sector to create green jobs and a more sustainable future.

More than 50% of greenhouse gas emissions from the aquaculture industry originate from the fish feed through both the raw materials used, transport and production. About 90% of the feed materials are imported.

“In order to reduce both emissions and dependence on imported raw materials, it is important to focus on alternative feed resources that can be produced in Norway and provide a basis for new jobs. Much research has been done over the years, and feed producers have used new raw materials such as oil from algae and insect meal. It is open to catches of copepods and catches of krill have been going on for several years. The government is also funding research on so-called mesopelagic fish species, which may provide the basis for new fisheries and feed raw materials in the future,” said Minister of Fisheries and Seafood, Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen.