Sustainability, Innovation and Business Development

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure for me to be here and speak to you at the beginning of this conference where so many important players in the Seafood industry are present. 

Norway has great ambitions on behalf of the Seafood industry. Ambitions are the mother of change and development.
It is the Governments objective that Norway as a seafood nation should be in front internationally. The driving force for this is of course the industry itself, but for me it means a strong commitment to have a focus on research and development and a continuously focus on securing a sustainable growth.
In order to succeed, a broad international cooperation is necessary. We operate all in the same market, and consumers are not necessary concerned if the fish they are buying originates from Norway or Japan. They are however concerned with seafood safety and that the fish is harvested in a sustainable way. Clear answers on these questions are important to make sure that consumers choose seafood instead of alternative products.

I therefore believe that all Seafood nations have a common interest in increased cooperation, in order to promote a competitive and sustainable development of the industry. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me share a few examples on what we have done in Norway to achieve sustainability in the Seafood sector. First of all, the principle of sustainability is a cornerstone of the Norwegian fisheries management. Based on previous experiences of fish stock being reduced, we all know that the fishery resources are limited and need to be managed accordingly.  I believe that Norway is on the cutting edge of fisheries management. We have implemented a scientifically-based management, where the precautionary principle is crucial.. 

Norway shares as much as 90 per cent of our commercially important fish stocks with other states. Quotas for most of the important fish stocks are set in cooperation with other countries.  International cooperation is therefore important.
The Norwegian Government has a strong focus on fighting IUU-fisheries.  IUU-fishing constitutes a threat to both fish stocks and the economic basis of those who abide to the law.  Only a decade ago illegal catches of North-East Arctic Cod were estimated to be around 100 000 tons per year in the Barents Sea alone.

We are pleased to see that through cooperation with Russia, have regained control of the IUU-fisheries.  As a consequence, Norwegian exporters are experiencing both greater demand and higher prices of their fish and fish products. 

To succeed in fighting illegal fishing, we have to use measures on many levels.
In the future, I believe that we must expect rules and regulations to become even stricter, and they will probably emerge in several importing countries.

A good system for traceability is important. And it needs to be consumer friendly, and such that consumers can get all the necessary information about the products.

Another issue is discards. It is my view that discarding is a terrible waste of food resources. It represents an irresponsible resource management policy, completely out of touch with our time. Discards lead to unrecorded catches, which in turn lead to inaccurate fisheries statistics.  This will disrupt the basis for scientific assessments of stocks and scientific advice on management.

Therefore Norway implemented a discard ban already in 1987. 
I am pleased to say that earlier this year the Fisheries Committee of the FAO adopted International Guidelines on By-catch Management and Reduction of Discards. The initiative came from Norway and the Guidelines are an important additional instrument in addressing the issue of by-catch and discards.

Ecological considerations are the principal concern in our approach to management of the marine resources.  The ecosystem approach to management is therefore an important part of our management.  Climate change, and its’ potentially dramatic consequences for the marine environment, calls for a strengthening of the management of our oceans. 
And we must learn more about the possible consequences of climate change. Norway has therefore strengthened research on the effects of climate change.

Then a few words about Aquaculture:

The Norwegian aquaculture industry is a relatively young industry which has evolved during the last 40 years. There has been a continuous growth in production since 1980, and last year the Norwegian aquaculture industry produced more than one million tons of Salmon, Trout, Halibut and Cod. Salmon is by far the most important product, and represents 90 per cent of the aquaculture production.

The growth in the Norwegian aquaculture production has mainly been determined by two factors; the market development and the environmental situation. Environmental sustainability is very important in aquaculture, and is for the moment the area which is given most attention by the Norwegian aquaculture authorities.

In 2009 we developed a “Strategy for an environmentally sustainable Norwegian aquaculture industry” targeting challenges linked
- to escapees and genetic interactions,
- pollution and discharges,
- disease and parasites,
- use of coastal areas and
- feed and feed resources. 

We have set high standards in all these areas.
We still have a way to go, but the implementation of measures to fulfil the strategy and development of environmental effect indicators has high political priority in Norway, and environmental sustainability is a prior condition for further growth.

It is still much we do not know about our oceans and its life. Therefore, I believe that we need to strengthen marine research. Further growth is only possible if we have the knowledge to make sure a sustainable development, and to make the most of these wonderful resources our seas and oceans provides. In fact, I believe that the Oceans resources today are largely untapped. It is impossible for one nation to develop all the necessary knowledge in these fields alone. Nations, researchers and companies need to cooperate, and share results for the best of us all. It is said, and I believe it is true that knowledge and understanding is one of the few things which are enhanced if shared.

The world’s population is today about 6 billion people. By 2050 the population is expected to reach 9 billion people. It is also recommended to increase the seafood consumption per capita because of the health aspect. Both these factors will result in increased demand for seafood. The potential is tremendous. However, in order to succeed we need to ensure an environmentally sustainable development of the industry.
I hope that you will have fruitful discussions and a pleasant stay in Oslo.

I invite you to visit our web site; www.fisheries.no, where you will find information about seafood safety, aquaculture- and fisheries management.

Thank you for your attention.