Linda Litlekalsøy Aase, who started working as Bremnes Seashore's CEO in November, emphasizes the positive and healthy environment the company offers for both employees and fish.
Photo: Bremnes Seashore.
After a brief stint at SalMar, we learned in February 2023 that, in November, Linda Litlekalsøy Aase would take over from Olav Svendsen at the helm of Bremnes Seashore. What attracted her most to the position, she says now, is the company's focus on quality, fish welfare, and people, which matches her values, as well as the great respect she has for the way her predecessor developed the company over many years. The respect seems to be mutual: "I feel he truly wants me to succeed," she tells WeAreAquaculture.
She has been CEO of Bremnes Seashore for just five months, but Linda feels blessed in her new position. "I've been fortunate to work with talented people and wise leadership, focusing on the well-being of our team and our salmon," she takes stock for WeArequaculture. "It's been a learning and rewarding journey, emphasizing the importance of a positive and healthy environment for both our employees and our fish."
On paper, her position does not look easy. An almost newcomer to the industry, replacing the former CEO and main owner, who had been with the company for more than 50 years. However, in practice, Olav Svendsen is not so much a mirror to compare herself with as a reference to rely on.
"I have immense respect for Olav's knowledge and experience. We share a genuine passion for this industry, complement each other well, and it feels natural to continue having him closely involved," she says. And adds, "Olav is generous and inclusive, and I feel he truly wants me to succeed."
"Olav is generous and inclusive, and I feel he truly wants me to succeed," Linda Litlekalsøy Aase says about the former CEO and principal owner of Bremnes Seashore. In the photo, the two visit a new factory.
As is known, before becoming the CEO of Bremnes Seashore, Linda's immediate previous position was as CEO of SalMar, but before that, her professional career had been in another industry. When asked what attracted her to aquaculture, she answers very clearly.
"I'm motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a world-leading, sustainable, and food-producing industry," she claims. And her valuable way of doing it is, among other things, by introducing expertise from other sectors, such as oil and gas.
"These industries have developed valuable strategies for creating added value through long-term strategic partnerships. The salmon industry has achieved significant value creation, respected for its cost-efficiency," she explains. "From my perspective, value creation is about ensuring that both people and fish thrive, fostering competition when necessary and collaboration whenever possible."
In her message to employees on the Bremnes Seashore Code of Conduct, Linda writes: "We must make the right choices and demonstrate sound business practices so that we contribute to securing our reputation and that of the industry, future operations, and, consequently, our own jobs." And, at the end of the message she adds, "Together, we find the good solutions!"
"Trust is the foundation of all interaction. Creating an organization built on trust, both internally and with external stakeholders, is the path to profitable business," she tells WeAreAquaculture now. But she is not only a great advocate of teamwork within the company, she also advocates collaboration between the different companies in the sector to jointly achieve a sustainable development of the industry.
"Our industry is facing challenges, and it's crucial that we approach these with humbleness and a willingness to learn and adapt. At Bremnes Seashore, we're committed to being forward-thinking, seeking out innovative solutions to the industry's future challenges," she says.
"Collaboration is key—not just within our company, but across the entire sector and with regulatory bodies"Linda Litlekalsøy Aase
"Collaboration is key—not just within our company, but across the entire sector and with regulatory bodies," she states. And continues, "It's essential to share knowledge and experiences. We can reignite the spirit of collaboration and knowledge exchange that marked the industry's early days." Bremnes Seashore CEO is clear about what can be learned from each of the companies.
"Companies like Alsaker impress me with their excellence in salmon production. I'm eager to learn from firms like SinkabergHansen and Lerøy, who are pioneering in submerged salmon farming, showing impressive advancements in sustainable practices. SalMar's ability to produce salmon at low costs while maintaining quality is admirable. MOWI stands out for its application of science and technology to achieve successful biological production. Grieg Seafood's dedication to fish welfare and sustainability, especially in challenging production areas, sets a standard we all can aspire to," she lists, and goes further.
"At Bremnes Seashore, we're not just open to learning from others—we're eager to share our knowledge too, particularly in areas like large smolt production and pre-rigor processing. By working together, sharing successes and challenges, we can collectively elevate the industry's reputation, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all involved."
Linda Litlekalsøy Aase arrived in the industry just a few months before the Norwegian government first outlined its intention to introduce a new ground rent tax for salmon farmers. Within a few months the so-called 'salmon tax' revolutionized the industry, and not necessarily for the better.
Now, just over a year after it enters into force, with investments worth more than NOK 30,000 million (EUR 2,645 million - USD 2,859 million) remaining on hold, according to the NHHS Consulting report commissioned by Sjømat Norge, we ask the CEO of Bremnes Seashore what she thinks about it.
"The new tax has caused unrest and uncertainty, leading to project delays or cancellations," she replies. "While it's good that the tax is profit-based, it reduces the industry's ability to invest in necessary technologies and solutions for challenges like disease or sea lice in the full value chain."
"Focusing on fish welfare and biosecurity is crucial, shifting focus from quantity to individual care"Linda Litlekalsøy Aase
Disease and sea lice have been some of the main challenges the industry faced during the fall-winter season. As commented, Linda considers that sharing knowledge and experiences is fundamental for the whole industry to overcome these problems in a united and collaborative way. The common goal is also the goal of Bremnes Seashore.
"Our goal is sustainable salmon production, contributing to a sustainable food source the world needs more of," she tells WeAreAquaculture. "Focusing on fish welfare and biosecurity is crucial, shifting focus from quantity to individual care. We aim to use data and analysis effectively for continuous improvement, enhancing profitability and creating added value for our owners and the communities we operate in."
It is no small task for either a company or a newly appointed CEO, but Linda Litlekalsøy Aase has all the ingredients to succeed. A collaborative spirit, eagerness to learn, great management experience, a non-aquaculture background that brings a different approach to problems, and, in addition, the confidence of the main owner that she will succeed.
Bremnes Seashore AS is one of Norway's leading suppliers of farmed salmon. With extensive experience, high levels of fish farming knowledge, and innovation at every stage of the process, it offers quality products worldwide. The company emphasizes the health and welfare of its farmed fish and has a strict quality assurance system. Product traceability, control, and monitoring of production processes are a priority for the company. Bremnes Seashore is certified according to the internationally recognized GLOBAL GAP and BRC standards and is also ASC-certified.