On day one, SINTEF Ocean served a potpourri of their research, ranging from technology and exposed fish farming to micro and macro algae and the potential for scaling and usage in fish feed. At SINTEF Sealab the group got to visit the plankton center and the MORO lab, learning more about research on algae robotics prototyping.
Leaving Trondheim behind, we headed for Hitra out on the coast of Trøndelag. Local seafood restaurant Ansnes Brygger served up an amazing buffet of locally harvested shellfish and other seafoods – a real treat!
On day two Lerøy Seafood and the coastal museum Ægir coordinated an enlightening program, ranging from a visit to Lerøy’s state-of-the-art factory at Jøsnøya, a stop by the smolt plant at Belsvika, and a visit to the fish farm at Storskogøya. Transportation by RIB in fresh March winds gave the trainees a small taste of the conditions for fish farming along the cost. We also got to see the Pioneer Exhibition at the museum, including a thought-provoking film with footage from the early days and great pioneers of the Norwegian aquaculture industry.
Returning to Trondheim, a third and final day of inspiring presentations awaited on Friday. Starting out, Trude Olafsen from AKVAGroup shared from her broad experience, giving useful insights to the industry to the group of young trainees, along with a presentation on new solutions for conventional sea-based farming, the Atlantis Subsea Farming project. Astrid Buran Holan followed up with an introduction to precision fish farming in Closed Aquaculture Systems, in a sustainability perspective. NTNU Oceans, represented by Alexandra Neyts, presented a broad selection of their research, together with collaboration possibilities between the industry and academia.
BioMar invited the whole group of Seafood Trainees to come visit at BioMar House at Brattørkaia, serving a delicious lunch. Vegard Denstadli, Technical Director, gave a presentation on BioMar and shared some inspiring examples of how they work with new, sustainable feed ingredients.
Two major players in potential future technologies that can contribute to sustainable growth of seafood production both in exposed and coastal areas, rounded off the module. First, Jørgen Mjønes presented SalMar Aker Ocean’s exposed and offshore farming project Ocean Farm, and the Green Platform project – collaboration project with industry and R&D partners. Finally, Tor Magne Madsen of Fish Globe gave an engaging presentation on the Fish Globe technology and potential for sustainable growth in production, even in vulnerable fjord areas along the Norwegian coast.
All in all, the module provided the Seafood Trainees with broad learning on the research, technologies and innovation that will help the seafood industry in Norway, and globally, to increase the volumes of sustainably grown seafood and provide a growing global population with healthy proteins form the sea. All while having a great time and getting to know each other better!