Seyðisfjörður aquaculture license issued despite local opposition

The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) and the Environment and Energy Agency have issued operating licenses to the aquaculture company Kaldvík for a 10,000-tonne sea cage farm in Seyðisfjörður. The decision was made based on existing legislation, as the application met all current legal requirements regarding risk and capacity assessments.

The issuance has met significant local opposition. Residents of Seyðisfjörður have expressed strong disapproval, with approximately 12,000 signatures collected nationwide against the project. The Múlaþing local government stated they were caught off guard by the decision, noting it appears to contradict political promises made during previous elections regarding stricter aquaculture regulations.

While the agencies are legally bound to act on current laws rather than political statements, the conflict continues. The local association VÁ – félag um vernd fjarðar has announced intentions to appeal the decision to the Environmental and Natural Resources Appeals Committee. Additionally, the company still requires building permits from Múlaþing for land-based structures.