Our crew was greeted with a bit of a celebrity sighting today at the official opening of Aqua Nor 2017 – the arrival of His Royal Highness Prince Haakon of Norway.
This isn’t HRH Prince Haakon’s first appearance at Aqua Nor (it’s his fourth) but still, it leaves a bit of an impression. His attendance makes it clear how valued aquaculture is in Norway. In fact, there was a palpable feeling of pride in the air today. Norway doesn’t just value its aquaculture industry; it celebrates it.
Norway Minister of Fisheries Per Sandberg told the crowd that aquaculture started in his country with “smart men and women wanting to earn some money on the side.”
“Today this industry is one of our most productive and prosperous industries, employing nearly 6000 people and we grow economic ripple effects throughout the country,” he said, adding that service and technology industries related to seafood are growing and bringing even more jobs to all regions of the country.
In 2016, Norway exported a record $7.88 Billion US worth of salmon and trout.
“Norwegian salmon is a strong global trademark. Some even call the salmon the most famous Norwegian abroad,” said Mr. Sandberg.
Trondheim, the city that hosts Aqua Nor, is a charming spot known for its high student population, technology, culture, cycling and food. Aquaculture and ocean sciences are quite clearly considered lifeblood in this coastal region.
“The sea and ocean industries are extremely important to our city, for our region and and for Norway as a nation,” said Trondheim Mayor Rita Ottervik.
She pointed out that only five per cent of the food we eat comes from the ocean and with the world’s population growing, we need to use our ocean resources even more than we do now.
“To do that, we need new technology, we need better technology and we need better and accurate knowledge about the ocean,” Ms. Ottervik said.
She said that is why Aqua Nor is such an important event – it is where information is shared, where collaborations happen to help the industry grow sustainably. Trondheim is also home to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research (SINTEF) and other technology-oriented institutions.
“We have research institutes and brain power to help the industry with their needs,” said Ms. Ottervik, adding that a national “Ocean Space Centre” is slated for Trondheim for future marine technology. Trondheim will also see a brand new exhibition centre for Aqua Nor’s 40th anniversary in 2019.
Mr. Sandberg said aquaculture as a young industry with enormous potential.
“In 33 years there will be 10 billion people on this planet,” he said. “Food production will need to increase 60-70 per cent in the same period. Today less than five per cent comes from the sea. That is not enough.”
Mr. Sandberg said sustainability is key to growth in any industry – “do your business sustainably or don’t do it at all.”
The Minister said he believes that industries can be both sustainable and profitable. Aquaculture already has the advantage of being renewable, is one of the most efficient ways of converting feed into high quality food and has a very low carbon footprint compared to other types of protein, he said.
“Sustainability can be a competitive advantage,” he said. “As aquaculture becomes more important, it opens a window of opportunity for seafood nations like the ones present here today. This means that all of you fish farmers and suppliers have an incredibly important job to do over the next few years.”
Lots more to do and see at Aqua Nor tomorrow! Also on the agenda is a Canada/Norway Business Seminar. Stay tuned!
Reunited!
Memos from the Mission 