A new aquaculture research and development program's focus is on the sustainability of Norway's seafood industry.
Developed by the Norwegian Research Council, the Aquaculture: An Industry in Growth program emphasizes that the industry is developed in a sustainable manner. The program will research the problems that need to be solved to ensure sustainability and allow the industry to grow, including sea lice infestations, discharges of pollution and escapes of farmed fish into the wild.
While a leader in production and exports of salmon and rainbow trout, Norway only accounts for 1.7 percent of global aquaculture production, in terms of volume. The research council says the inclusive, broad-based process leading up to the revised work program has helped to raise industry awareness to take responsibilty for generating new knowledge.
"The time is ripe for stepping up research efforts and clarifying the division of responsibility between the public and the private sector," said Paul Birger Torgnes, research board member.
