Nofima, Norway’s food research institute, has announced it is increasing its research efforts for the cod industry.
“In recent years our scientists have made major progress in the areas of both catch handling and capture-based aquaculture of cod. With increased funding we will be able to produce even more research results that will benefit the entire industry,” said Øyvind Filling-Jensen, managing director.
Intensive research efforts are also being made in the area of catch handling.
Nofima has the ability to strengthen the research due to an increase in budget allocations for 2014. The draft national budget proposes a NOK 10 million (USD 1.67 million, EUR 1.2 million) increase to Nofima as part of the package of measures for the cod industry. In collaboration with the Norwegian Seafood Council, NOK 5 million (USD 842,500/EUR 617,000) will go to long-term strategic marketing for whitefish and NOK 5 million to accelerate efforts with catch handling and capture-based aquaculture.
“We are currently working on a new business plan and with the provisions from the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, which is our largest shareholder, it is clear that the cod industry will benefit from the efforts of our scientists in the years to come,” says Filling-Jensen.
