Norway, the US and Canada to strengthen cooperation in aquaculture research

18 November, 2005 - NORWAY is in the process of establishing a framework for closer
co-operation with the US and Canada on selected topics in aquaculture research. Plans to undertake and organise concrete research co-operation were discussed November 1 - 3 at a meeting in Washington DC, according to the Research Council of Norway.

“With mutual investment of resources in prioritised areas, we can achieve results faster and more efficiently," says Kathrine Angell-Hansen of the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs. It was the Ministry that launched the initiative to promote co-operation in aquaculture as part of the follow-up to the previous government's North America strategy. Together with the Research Council of Norway, the Ministry organised two preliminary meetings with Canada and the US, leading up to this wide ranging, two-day workshop on production of fish held during the annual research conference arranged by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington DC.

At this point, much can be achieved by laying the foundation for co-operation, linking research communities and giving priority to grant applications with an international focus. In addition to utilising ordinary funding tools, the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs will promote North American co-operation by making catalyst funding available. Funding schemes of this nature are already in place at the Research Council, and the US and Canada support the introduction of similar measures. The Norwegians said that they sought a more formalised structure at the top, with a clearly identified international team that is committed to working on this. Aquaculture and FUGE, both large-scale research programmes, will be the primary players from the Norwegian Research Council in the efforts to come.