MarinCircleBlue​

Community-Led Circular Blue Green Solutions for Low-Salinity Areas​

Core Focus


MarinCircleBlue works with communities in the Hardanger region to link integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) with circular blue-green value chains, turning harvested low-trophic biomass into agricultural biostimulants. Combining community co-design, an IMTA pilot, biostimulant trials and dissemination, the project will reduce fjord nutrient pressure and connect aquaculture with agriculture. ​

Challenge


Hardangerfjord is a low-salinity system under nutrient pressure, with salmon farming as the dominant cause and a eutrophication risk if production grows. The sector is at a standstill after the County Governor rejected new applications. Farmers want documented effects from biostimulants, and local low-trophic knowledge is limited.​

Key Activities

  • Run community co-design workshops, dialogue sessions and youth engagement.​
  • Mobilise, permit and deploy the IMTA pilot in the fjord.​
  • Monitor and validate the IMTA system and assess its value chain.​
  • Trial macroalgae-based biostimulants across two growing seasons.
  • Communicate results and support uptake and scaling ​

Communities Engaged

  • Citizen science & community education​
  • Conservation & environmental protection​
  • Local Action Groups (CLLD) ​
  • Enterprises for inclusion & skills​
  • Blue tech & digital innovation​
  • Fisheries / aquaculture / blue economy​

Project info

  • Funding instrument: Community-Led Actions

  • Lead partner: The Royal Norwegian Society for Development (Norges Vel) (Norway)

  • Consortium members:
    • Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research NIBIO (NO)
    • SeaFertil AS (NO)
    • Naturvernforbundet Hordaland NVH (NO)
    • Urban Ocean AS (NO)

  • Project Budget: €983.250,00

  • Country of implementation: Norway

  • Project duration: Up to 24 months