Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Marianne Sivertsen Næss expressed the Norwegian government's "clear goal of increased processing of seafood in Norway".
Photo: NFD
Norway's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries has outlined plans aimed at ensuring that a larger share of the economic value generated from Norwegian seafood resources remains in the country, rather than being realised abroad through exports of unprocessed fish.
Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss said strengthening onshore processing capacity would be one of her central priorities. Norway is one of the world’s largest seafood exporters, supplying farmed salmon and wild-caught species to markets across Europe, Asia and North America.
“One of my most important projects going forward is to help build a future-oriented and competitive seafood industry in Norway. The seafood industry provides jobs along the entire coastline and is crucial for activity and settlement in coastal communities, particularly in Northern Norway. At a time marked by increased geopolitical unrest, this is more important than ever,” Sivertsen Næss said in a Norwegian language press statement.
The government has stated that more of the value created from Norwegian seafood resources should stay in Norway. “Overall, this is about strengthening the social contract,” she added.
According to the ministry, the objective is to make it more profitable to process fish domestically while ensuring the industry remains competitive in a global raw materials market. The seafood sector includes companies of varying sizes and ownership models, ranging from small coastal plants to vertically integrated exporters.
While the government has not proposed specific legislative amendments at this stage, it outlined six key areas under review.
One strand focuses on raising the quality of fish landed by the wild-catch fleet, with an expert group to be appointed to recommend measures. Officials argue that higher raw material quality could support more advanced processing and better margins domestically.
Another priority is reversing a long-term fall in seafood consumption within Norway itself. Government figures show that domestic consumption has declined by 17% over the past decade, including among younger consumers. The ministry now plans to establish a new "seafood network" bringing together producers, processors and retailers in an attempt to encourage higher consumption in line with national dietary guidance.
A third area under scrutiny is the framework governing first-hand fish sales, following a government-commissioned review, now out for consultation. "The primary sales of fish in Norway should be a well-functioning marketplace that takes into account considerations throughout the value chain," the ministry said in its announcement.
In parallel to this review and consultation process, a committee representing industry and labour interests is examining the existing landing obligation system, which links certain fishing rights to supply obligations for onshore plants in designated coastal areas. The government has indicated that it believes the current arrangement does not sufficiently secure raw material flows or local employment.
Further changes are expected in monitoring and regulation. New requirements for automated weighing systems at fish reception facilities are intended to improve documentation of catches and reinforce confidence in reporting.
The sixth and final area being tackled is the annual fisheries regulations, which the government said it will "facilitate [...] to be more closely aligned to ensure access to raw materials for the seafood industry," in an effort to "help secure jobs and lay the foundation for increased investment and further development along the coast." However, the ministry did not as yet specify what this might involve.
"Strengthening the competitiveness of the seafood industry does not happen overnight. That is why we are working along several tracks," Sivertsen Næss said.
"We will develop a clearer and more binding link between the extraction of community resources and activity, employment and investments in local communities. This is extensive and demanding work – but it is crucial to securing jobs, settlements and faith in the future along the entire coast," she added.