Norway and Scotland team up on aquaculture

Norway and Scotland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work jointly on developing their aquaculture industries. It is hoped that the trade disputes in the past between the two nations will be put aside to help boost each other’s prosperity.

Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Helga Pedersen signed the MoU with Scotland’s Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham in Trondheim. Pedersen commented to the Norway Post that she feels both nations can learn a lot from each other in a bid to further develop their aquaculture industries.

“I am pleased that Scotland and Norway can strengthen our cooperation on aquaculture, since a collaborative approach provides greater dividends than past trade disputes,” Pedersen stated.

The main areas of focus for the collaboration include the exchange of experience on regulations, working together on research, providing joint access to insurance and finance, and tackling the issue of environmental sustainability.

The first meeting of the new Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation on Aquaculture will be held next year in Scotland, where the two teams will lay down the key elements of developing each other’s aquaculture industries.