Lars Jacob Tynes Pedersen, Associate Professor at NHH introduced the topic with a speech on circular economy in general and impact on seafood industry. Several companies in different sectors are experiencing positive impact of circular economic business models that can be transferred into the seafood industry. He highlighted that the focus must be to achieve profitability when looking how to apply circular economy in your business.
Linn Cecilie Moholt, Head of Circular Services at BIR, told about the implementation of circular economy as a strategic area of priority in BIR. This was exemplified with a practical example of how “waste” is look upon as a resource and not waste.
Øyvind Fyllingen, CEO at Nofima, was saying that there is a great potential for circular economy in the seafood industry, but underlined that economic sustainability is necessary. Introduction to circular economy is not the main challenge, but scaling up represents great challenges concerning economic sustainability – primarily due to regulatory barriers.
Hanne Digre, Research Director Seafood Technology at Sintef OCEAN, presented several circular economy projects, exemplified by cod heads, polychaete, amphipods and jelly fish. She told that utilization of raw material has increased to 82%, but there should be ambitions to reach 100%.
Crina S. Ilea, Senior Researcher at Prototech, was introducing Green Fish Farm where sludge could be the source to all the energy needs of a fish farm. In addition, Madeleine Aksdal from AquaPro, presented technology for retrieving sludge from fish farms and applications for the sludge.
The final presenter was Alexsander Solstad Ringheim, CEO at Invertapro, telling about opportunities in insects and the future of healthy circular fish production.
All presenters at The Executive Seafood Forum were participating in a panel discussion moderated by Hans Kleivdal from NORCE.