J—hannsd—ttir, A_alhei_ur --- "Iceland: aspects of the legal environment relating to aquaculture" [2016] ELECD 1313; in Bankes, Nigel; Dahl, Irene; VanderZwaag, L. David (eds), "Aquaculture Law and Policy" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016) 266

Book Title: Aquaculture Law and Policy

Editor(s): Bankes, Nigel; Dahl, Irene; VanderZwaag, L. David

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781784718107

Section: Chapter 11

Section Title: Iceland: aspects of the legal environment relating to aquaculture

Author(s): J—hannsd—ttir, A_alhei_ur

Number of pages: 23

Abstract/Description:

Aquaculture, including mariculture, is a growing industry in Iceland leading, inter alia, to an increasing demand for the planning of marine areas and for fish farming operating permits. Although the legislative reaction hitherto has been lagging behind the current demand, some precautionary measures already have been taken to prevent genetic pollution by closing some large marine areas permanently for salmonid fish farming. Furthermore streamlining of the permitting procedure (one-stop shop) has recently been introduced, which will benefit those that apply for operating permits and should increase the cooperation of the relevant public authorities as well. Against this backdrop the objective of this chapter is to outline and discuss the main aspects of the Icelandic legal environment relating to aquaculture. The current legislation reflects a diverse preventive and precautionary approach and, to a certain extent, an ecological approach. Furthermore recent legal amendments signify what could be categorized as a first step towards a holistic and integrated management approach of marine-based fish farming. From scrutinizing the legal environment it is clear that the relevant legislation is in transition and, even though some of the most important acts were changed in 2014 (applicable from the beginning of 2015), the necessary administrative regulations have at the time of writing not yet been adjusted, although the larger strokes have been made clear by the central legislator (Althingi).