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Norwegian Fish-Farming
NORWAY - Along its coast Norway has several hundreds of fish farms, breeding many types of fish including the famous Norwegian salmon. Aquaculture, also called fish farming, accounts for an increasing share of the export volume. Production of farmed salmon in 1995 exceeded 250,000 tons, or more than half of the world’s farmed output.
Norwegian fish farmers know that all fish are not created equal. Cage design, site selection, selective breeding, veterinary care (including vaccinations) and feed content all count in the production of farmed fish. Both large producers and the smallest family-run farms meet strict environmental standards.
Some fish farmers have begun using infrared light to measure the all-important fat content of live salmon, whose diets can then be adjusted to meet specifications. Farmers also take seriously Norwegian research showing that pre-slaughter stress adversely affects taste.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization hopes global aquaculture yields will double in 15 years to help meet human food needs. Adapted for a variety of fish species and climates, Norwegian fish farming technology and expertise are already exported around the world. Products include offshore grow-out cages and equipment as well as advanced water recirculation systems that make land-based tank farming profitable and ecologically sound even in arid environments.
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