"Anyone who engages in aquaculture can contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority in the same way as before," Mattilsynet states.
Photo: Mattilsynet.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) has launched a new national supervisory division dedicated to overseeing aquaculture across Norway's extensive coastline. This reorganization aims to enhance fish health and welfare, keep pace with industry innovations, and enforce effective, risk-based regulation, Mattilsynet said.
The new aquaculture supervisory division, which was announced in June, was formally established on September 1, 2024, and consolidates all aquaculture-related oversight in Norway, from Finnmark in the north to Agder in the south of the country, employing around 80 staff members.
The new division is led by Bård Skjelstad, a veterinarian with nearly 30 years of experience in the aquaculture industry.
Skjelstad brings with him 20 years of management experience spanning fish health services, research and development (R&D), roe and smolt production, food fish production, and technology.
His extensive career includes a series of industry leadership roles, most recently as CEO of open ocean aquaculture firm Aqualoop. Skjelstad was also previously technology director at Scale AQ, head of biology and nutrition at SalMar, and COO at salmon and trout genetics specialist Aquagen. Additionally, he has served as an executive veterinarian in the fish health service, project manager at VESO/Veterinary Institute, and part-time researcher at NTNU.
"We look forward to having Bård Skjelstad on the team at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority," Mattilsynet managing director Ingunn Midttun Godal said in June. "We believe he will add extensive experience and knowledge that will benefit our efforts to contribute to a more sustainable aquaculture industry and address the challenges the industry faces."
For his part, Skjelstad said he has "a strong commitment to sustainable food production from aquaculture. I will join a strong team and look forward to contributing with my experience."
The new aquaculture division is organized into four departments:
Department North: Covering regions from Nordmøre to Finnmark (PO6-PO13), led by Geir Arne Ystmark.
Department South: Overseeing areas from Agder to Nordmøre (PO1-PO5), headed by Håvard Hustoft.
Department Audit, Method, and Analysis: Focused on regulatory auditing and methodical improvements, managed by Irja Viste-Ollestad.
Department of Subject Support: Providing specialized support, under the leadership of Margareth Bergesen.
Announcing the new structure on its website, Mattilsynet said the reform is designed to strengthen the Authority's ability to monitor and adapt to innovations in the aquaculture industry, contribute to the development of relevant regulations, and ensure a more effective, risk-based control system.