Joint statement on future cooperation on aquaculture

Today we have taken an important step forward. The demand for food will increase as the world’s population is predicted to grow to 9 billion by 2050. Seafood production must increase substantially to meet the needs of this expanded population.

Norway, Scotland, Canada, and Chile are the worlds four main producers of atlantic salmon.The agreement signed today gives us an unique opportunity to learn from each other:

• We will encourage cooperation
• We will exchange information, knowledge and experiences
• We will work together to put seafood on the global agenda on food security and nutrition.

- Although our industries are competitors in a global market, we share some common challenges. By cooperation and exchange of information we can learn from each other in effort to develop the aquaculture industry in a sustainable way, says the Norwegian minister Elisabeth Aspaker.

Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Dr Aileen McLeod said:

- I am delighted to be here at Aqua Nor strengthening our international ties with Norway, Canada and Chile, recognising the worldwide importance of aquaculture growth delivered through enhanced co-operation and joint working.

- Today’s joint statement is good news for the future sustainable growth and development of our aquaculture sector.  And I look forward to sharing the successes and learning from the challenges that all our countries have experienced as we look to grow sustainably, says dr McLeod.