Abstract
Increased complexity and interdependencies lead to problems and issues that are hard to solve. Such chronic and enduring problems are often referred to as ‘wicked problems’. This article focusses on Norwegian salmon aquaculture and addresses the problems related to the industry’s and government’s ambitions for growth in aquaculture production and the municipalities’ desire for economic compensation, usually termed area rent, from the aquaculture companies that use municipal waters for aquaculture. The government has resisted the introduction of such an area rent due to several complex institutional and distributional considerations. This complex and enduring issue is analysed here as a wicked problem, where we find that the main source of wickedness does not lie within the definition of the problem rather it’s related to the available solution as the proposed solution requires changes that are not politically viable.
Highlights
Development in marine aquaculture is dependent on several factors, including availability of feed, healthy marine environments and suitable locations
When the municipalities were granted the right to designate their coastal areas for different uses, the national government certainly gave away substantial decision-making power and gave the municipalities a role as gatekeepers regarding the aquaculture industry’s access to the coastal zone
For an ever-expanding aquaculture industry, this has made site availability an increasingly urgent issue as many municipalities have become more reluctant to granting new areas to salmon production without being economically compensated
Summary
Development in marine aquaculture is dependent on several factors, including availability of feed, healthy marine environments and suitable locations. A major and enduring debate in Norwegian aquaculture involves the question of access to suitable new production sites (Hersoug 2013; Sandersen and Nikolaisen 2007) Both the government and the aquaculture industry have high ambitions for continued growth of aquaculture production. Municipal autonomy in coastal zone planning is limited by sector laws and national guidelines and policy provisions, but it is considerable and offers plenty leeway for independent decision-making (Sandersen and Kvalvik 2014; Jentoft and Buanes 2005). This local planning autonomy gives the municipalities a gatekeeper role regarding access to the coastal zone that is seen as a growing obstacle to further growth in salmon production. This reluctance is due to environmental concerns (such as sea lice and genetic interference on wild salmon, and release of faeces and chemicals), competition with other uses of the sea space (mainly fisheries and transport and other industries, leisure and tourist activities) and the relatively modest local economic benefits (mainly due to restructuring of the industry) (Hersoug, 2013; Isaksen and Mikkelsen 2012; Gullestad et al 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
