Land-based aquaculture services
Ensure integrity of land-based aquaculture through verification, certification, and risk assessment services tailored to your facility.
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Land-based aquaculture services
Challenges in land-based aquaculture
Land-based aquaculture systems (e.g. RAS and flow-through) offer environmental control and biosecurity advantages, but their technical complexity requires careful management. To support safe and reliable operations throughout the facility’s lifecycle, DNV offers independent verification of design documentation, system integration, and project execution.
This helps identify critical risks early, ensures compliance with relevant standards, and enables informed decision-making across the planning, construction, and operational phases.
How our land-based aquaculture services support you
DNV offers independent risk assessments, technology qualification, state-of-condition evaluations, and barrier certification for land-based aquaculture facilities and newbuilds.
Our services include:
- Verification of design and as-built in accordance with NS 9416.
- Facilitation of risk assessments involving all relevant stakeholders in new-build projects.
- Condition assessment and product certification for existing land-based aquaculture facilities, including technical escape risk evaluations).
- Support for maintenance planning and operational risk management.
- Assistance in maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements during daily operations.
We also offer hydrodynamic modelling to support:
- Optimal placement of intake and discharge points for land-based aquaculture systems.
- Assessment of cross-contamination risks.
- Visualization of plumes for storage and dilution analysis.
- Evaluation of water quality parameters such as salinity, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Trusted experts in aquaculture
With extensive independent expertise in marine operations, DNV supports aquaculture stakeholders – from designers and shipyards to entrepreneurs and farmers – through every stage.
Our global team delivers independent evaluations grounded in technical knowledge and backed by advanced engineering tools tailored for both offshore and land-based aquaculture. We help secure technology approval, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize operational performance.
Benefits of our land-based aquaculture services
- Supports safe and reliable facility operation.
- Enhances investor confidence and stakeholder trust.
- Identifies risks in early stages of development.
- Enables regulatory alignment and sustainable growth.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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Land-based aquaculture involves farming fish in controlled facilities on land, using tanks or other production systems instead of marine cages. These facilities often provide greater control over environmental conditions and biosecurity.
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A Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) continuously filters and reuses water, helping maintain water quality while reducing freshwater consumption and enabling greater control over the production environment.
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Land-based systems can offer improved biosecurity, greater environmental control, efficient water use, reduced exposure to marine risks and opportunities to locate production closer to markets.
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Common challenges include maintaining water quality, managing energy consumption, ensuring reliable system performance, protecting fish welfare and preventing disease outbreaks.
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Facilities may use recirculating water treatment systems, automated feeding, environmental sensors, AI-based monitoring, oxygen control systems and digital management platforms.
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Yes. Independent technical assessments, engineering reviews and documented management systems can help support permitting, certification and regulatory compliance.
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DNV provides technical assurance, engineering support, risk assessments, independent verification and operational advisory services across the lifecycle of land-based aquaculture facilities.
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Independent assurance is valuable to reduce technical and investment risks during concept development, engineering design, construction, commissioning and operational improvements, in addition to project financing and insurance.
Resources to strengthen your land-based aquaculture operations
Explore how DNV helps operators of land-based aquaculture facilities ensure safety, reliability, and compliance through verification, barrier management, and operational risk assessment.
Contact us
Karin Stensmyren Monsen
Head of Section Farm Technology, Farm Technology, DNV Aquaculture
