The Directorate of Fisheries is responsible for aquaculture management, controls, new legislation, regulations and regulatory initiatives. The role of the Directorate of Fisheries also includes responsibility for aquaculture reports and studies, fish health and welfare, environmental impact, technical standards and the aquaculture register. The Directorate of Fisheries provides professional input to the policy making process, it is also the key governmental aquaculture manager and a partner for the aquaculture industry, research institutions, other public services and the general public.
The Institute of Marine Research has been heavily involved in the development of the aquaculture industry in Norway since the early exploratory phase in 1970ies. The institute has played a central role in the development of the Norwegian salmon farming business as well as in introducing new species in aquaculture. The key roles of IMR today are to give advice to the Department of Fisheries of Norway, undertake research in various fields as: fish health, environmental effects of aquaculture, genetic impact of cultured fish on wild stocks, fish welfare in aquaculture, marine juvenile production, on-growing, general fish biology, stock enhancement, control of maturation and general fish biology.
IMR has two major research stations in aquaculture, Matre and Austevoll, outside Bergen. The station in Matre consists of a large scale modern and advanced land-based research facility plus marine cage farms in the fjord. The experts in Matre have a vast experience in production of salmonid juveniles. The focus at present is in fields as deformity problems, fish feed trials and fish behavior. The research at the Austevoll station is focusing on marine fish production, broodfish, juvenile and on growing. The station has both substantial cage farms as well as land-based facilities. Both Matre and Austevoll have excellent facilities for basic and advanced training for foreign specialist focusing on practical fish farming as well as research.
The objective of CDCF is to facilitate development and poverty alleviation in fisheries and aquaculture by means of development of sustainable farms. CDCF works in partnership in various fields within aquaculture. This includes:
- Technology transfer, pilot marine cage farm installation and operational start up. Mass-production of juveniles and brood stock program. Site and species selection. Training programs in Norway at the Austevoll and Matre stations. Training at partner’s site.
- Elaboration and implementation governmental aquaculture regulations
- Environmental impact assessment and advice in fish health management
- Economic analysis and strategical planning for aquaculturedevelopement
- Competence building program
- Procurement assistance and project administration
- Experts from the Directorate of Fisheries have been involved in a great number of advisory projects in developing countries.
Both Directorate of Fisheries and Institute of Marine Research have broad experience in working in developing countries.
