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Lisbeth Berg-Hansen |
THE Norwegian Government is due to work on plans to undertake a wide ranging strategic review of its fishing and aquaculture policy.
Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, the country's Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Minister, revealed earlier in the summer that one of the aims of such a comprehensive study, was to help steer Norway towards becoming the world's leading seafood nation, and to strengthen the fishing industry's role as a value creator along its long and rugged coastline.
She said that with fish related exports running at 54 billion kroners year (around £600-million sterling), Norway was already one of the leading suppliers of seafood to other countries.
Speaking at a meeting of the Western Council earlier in the summer, Ms Berg-Hansen said: "My goal is to be the world leader in marine knowledge and innovation. My theme is the world's leading seafood nation. It is the government's vision for the seafood industry. And we have all the prerequisites to be that. Norway manages the seas seven times as big as our land. We are the world's second largest exporter of seafood.
Every day we serve 38 million seafood meals from Norway on the world's dining table. Think about it - 38 million seafood meals every day. Our seafood is now exported to nearly 150 countries. And a growing world population demanding more healthy and good seafood from Norway.Norwegian seafood beats record after record." She said that sales for 2011 were already increasing by over 12 per cent even though many customer countries were struggling financially.
The Minister said the Norwegian fishing industry faced a number of challenges and they would not be pushed under the table when the White Paper review gets under way. The country also had fantastic opportunities in new areas such as marine biotechnology.
She added: "We have a wealth of opportunities. Our cold, clear waters and well-managed fish stocks provides opportunities for the ultimate raw material quality, both for wild fish and farmed species. The combination of this and leading international marine research and technology communities, is crucial for all the talented people who can and will develop the Norwegian seafood industry further."
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