By 

Karl Andreas Almås

2006 was another good year for the Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture industry. Fish products for 37 billions NOK were exported to more than 150 countries. The export value of Norwegian salmon increased by 30 %. While the industry has achieved such good results, structural changes in both the industry itself and the suppliers have been in continuous progress. This has led the industry to global competition and shows clear international ambitions. If the Norwegian research community is to hold and strengthen its position as an important supplier to the industry, we must adapt to the global competition also regarding the expertise we produce.

The report “Exploitation of Marine Living Resources – Global Opportunities for Norwegian Expertise”, published by the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences (NTVA) and The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters (DKNVS) in the fall of 2006 clearly shows that the production of Norwegian knowledge has a significant export potential. This can be achieved if this activity follows the industry in areas where we are international leaders or through an open sale of expertise to other participants in the global market. If we are to succeed, a decision has to be made in Norway to export expertise. The attitude that this is equivalent to selling the family heirloom must be put aside.

SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture’s distinct ambition is to play an important role in the international knowledge market. Through our vision “Global marine knowledge supplier, 2007 – 2010” with the goal to be the leading technological research institute in Europe for the sustainable global harvesting of living marine resources, we have defined how we will proceed in this direction. We will continue our proactive role in European research, as we today consider this to be our home market. A future role in a “European Institute of Technology (EIT)” is an evident goal. Further development of our cooperation with Akvaforsk and VESO to internationalize the focused Norwegian expertise in fisheries and aquaculture is another important objective.

Regarding technological expertise, NTNU and SINTEF are leading international contributors in many areas of research, including the marine sector. We have developed joint strategies to integrate education, basic research, applied research and development. Through the infrastructure that is established at the SINTEF/NTNU SeaLab at Brattørkaia in Trondheim, the integrated effort has become more visible. This environment has attracted motivated colleagues from 16 countries.

SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture have, through eight years of operation, established a scientific and economical platform for the further thrust toward international markets. It is hard to imagine a more exciting challenge!