156 H. N. Sandvold et al.
Co- location issues
Logistics and transport are current barriers to valorisation of waste. The fishproducing firms are typically located in the coastal districts and the processors
of the waste are often located inland. Without technology for drying the
waste, this results in high transport costs of biomass with high water content.
8.5.2 Socio- technical transition
As wild catch can no longer meet current demand, aquaculture will continue
to expand if fish, and salmon in particular, are to continue to be supplied to
the market at the current prices. Salmon- producing firms are currently in
transition, in response to both a growing global demand for salmon and the
calls to reduce their impact on local coastal ecologies, as well as the economic
necessity of responding to the damage sea lice cause to the fish stocks. The
following looks at aspects of the socio- technical transition, applying elements
inspired by actor network theory (Simandan, 2018), technological innovation
systems theory (Smits, 2002) and multilevel perspective theory (Geels &
Schot, 2007).
Actors
Several of our interviewees claimed that consumers are becoming more interested in sustainability. The firm’s image and the story of their products are
therefore becoming more important. This was especially the case for the fully
land- based firm in our study – market differentiation and the sustainability
angle was their competitive edge in the marketplace.
Governments are also driving the transition, principally in supporting the
industry, which provides jobs to rural communities and a valuable export. In
Norway, we found several examples of how the industry has benefitted indirectly from regional policy. They are also responding to a growing awareness
of environmental impacts through regulation, although, as yet, there is little
coordination and guidance on how to handle waste.
Technology firms specialising in RAS are the main enablers of this transition, as it is now becoming more cost- efficient and easier to meet regulations
regarding wastewater. Moreover, RAS allows the sludge to be more easily
collected and concentrated. Further technological development is needed in
centrifuge- and heat- based drying systems to make waste storage and transport more economical. Moreover, additional research is needed into new
ways to process waste. Biotechnology providers could be key actors in this
regard.
End- use actors (for organic waste) are not yet fully coordinated with the
fish production firms. This stems from co- related factors: a lack of consistent
and coordinated policy for waste handling, a lack of economic incentives, a
lack of research and entrepreneurship and a lack of overlapping expertise.
Co- location issues
Logistics and transport are current barriers to valorisation of waste. The fishproducing firms are typically located in the coastal districts and the processors
of the waste are often located inland. Without technology for drying the
waste, this results in high transport costs of biomass with high water content.
8.5.2 Socio- technical transition
As wild catch can no longer meet current demand, aquaculture will continue
to expand if fish, and salmon in particular, are to continue to be supplied to
the market at the current prices. Salmon- producing firms are currently in
transition, in response to both a growing global demand for salmon and the
calls to reduce their impact on local coastal ecologies, as well as the economic
necessity of responding to the damage sea lice cause to the fish stocks. The
following looks at aspects of the socio- technical transition, applying elements
inspired by actor network theory (Simandan, 2018), technological innovation
systems theory (Smits, 2002) and multilevel perspective theory (Geels &
Schot, 2007).
Actors
Several of our interviewees claimed that consumers are becoming more interested in sustainability. The firm’s image and the story of their products are
therefore becoming more important. This was especially the case for the fully
land- based firm in our study – market differentiation and the sustainability
angle was their competitive edge in the marketplace.
Governments are also driving the transition, principally in supporting the
industry, which provides jobs to rural communities and a valuable export. In
Norway, we found several examples of how the industry has benefitted indirectly from regional policy. They are also responding to a growing awareness
of environmental impacts through regulation, although, as yet, there is little
coordination and guidance on how to handle waste.
Technology firms specialising in RAS are the main enablers of this transition, as it is now becoming more cost- efficient and easier to meet regulations
regarding wastewater. Moreover, RAS allows the sludge to be more easily
collected and concentrated. Further technological development is needed in
centrifuge- and heat- based drying systems to make waste storage and transport more economical. Moreover, additional research is needed into new
ways to process waste. Biotechnology providers could be key actors in this
regard.
End- use actors (for organic waste) are not yet fully coordinated with the
fish production firms. This stems from co- related factors: a lack of consistent
and coordinated policy for waste handling, a lack of economic incentives, a
lack of research and entrepreneurship and a lack of overlapping expertise.