The Norwegian ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries yesterday auctioned new licenses for salmon, trout and rainbow trout farming. 30 companies paid a combined total of nearly NOK 6 billion for the new permits.

More than half the new permits, measured by the maximum amount of biomass permitted (MTB) is located in Northern Norway; 14.831 out of 27.189 MTB. The buyers have purchased everything from five to more than 8.000 MTB during the auction.

The new licenses will lead to a more than three percent growth in the Norwegian fish farming industry, according to the Ministry.