Aker Seafoods processing facility

A white fish processing facility owned by Aker Seafoods was one of the last stops during the trip to Norway. This facility, located in Stamsund, in the Lofoten Islands (northern Norway) processes primarily cod but also saith. On the day of our visit, they were processing saith. This facility utilizes modern technology to keep the fish a low temperature (~1 C) throughout processing to optimize quality. Fishing and Seafood processing is a key industry for rural areas in northern Norway where there are few sources of employment.

The plant manager explains the grading process.

All byproducts from the filleting process are utilized. The worker above packs these byproducts.

A worker splits the fish into various cuts.

Packed fillets are prepared for transport. These are for the Scandinavian market.

Seafood or oil?

Dock in the Lofoten Islands

While seafood is the second largest contributor to Norway's exports, oil and gas is the first, constituting well over 50% of the value of exports for the country. Oil and gas have been the biggest drivers in the Norwegian economy the past few decades are are responsible for the country's high standard of living. These resources are largely located offshore and compete for space with both wild fisheries and aquaculture.

However, in recent years the existing wells have become depleted and there has been growing pressure to open new areas to exploitation. One of the areas of interest by the oil and gas industry is near the Lofoten Islands. These islands are an important nursery area for seafood stocks, including cod and to some extent herring, two of largest populations in the world (according to biomass). While seafood is a key industry for the country, especially in rural areas in the north of Norway, such as the Lofoten Islands, it is difficult for it to compete against the oil and gas industry which is the primary economic driver for the country.

The future of the Lofoten Islands and its picturesque landscape remains uncertain.

Visit to Lerøy salmon farm

One of the most interesting aspects of the trip thus far has been a visit to a salmon farm operated by the company Lerøy Seafood Group.

A salmon cage pen. The net on over the top prevents birds from eating the salmon.

Barge where staff monitor the salmon and dispense feed.

Staff monitor the salmon every day. They use cameras to monitor the fish's behavior for stress, identify disease and optimize feeding. They also monitor the nets for any wholes. Finally, they dispense feed with the computer system.

Michelle Cho (New England Aquarium) and I stand on the walk way around the salmon cage with a staff member who explained various features of the cage. Working at a salmon farm is seen as a fairly attractive job in Norway.

Salmon feed.

Consumer perceptions pose a challenge for "red list species" in Norway

Norwegian red fish. The only red fish caught in Norway is as bycatch.

Despite strong management practices, some species in Norwegian waters are still threatened.  While the Directorate of Fisheries has an annual priority list of improvements, a lack of consumer awareness plays a role in the continued (sometimes illegal) exploitation of threatened populations in Norwegian waters. WWF Norway lists six Norwegian species on the “red list” of their seafood guide.

·      Coastal Cod (a specific cod population, other Norwegian cod populations are healthy)

·      Eel

·      Norwegian lobster

·      Wolfish

·      Monkfish

·      Red fish

Norwegian consumers have an assumption that all seafood in Norway is domestically produced, which it largely is, and that because it is produced in Norway it is automatically from a sustainable well-managed population. This assumption, leads to very limited use of the seafood guide produced by WWF Norway and to consumers asking few questions about their seafood. While the majority of Norway’s seafood populations are in good condition, the failure of consumers to ask pertinent questions discourages the recovery of threatened species.