NCE Aquaculture

NCE Aquaculture is a cluster that focuses on value creation and innovation associated with commercial production of farmed fish and seafood for the global market. The cluster represents an industry with strong expertise, proud traditions and world leading companies in their respective business areas. There areas are important for further development of Norwegian aquaculture, and include production of fry and edible fish, processing, feed production, technology, health and environment, finance, research and training.

Background
Since the 1970s the aquaculture cluster along the coast of Nordland has been involved in the creation of one of Norway’s most important export industries. The Norwegian aquaculture industry generates EUR 4,1 billion (2010) in export revenue, ensures settlement along the coast, and upholds many important values in society.

Aquaculture operators and companies related to aquaculture in Norway have for many years worked together closely and established an efficient cluster as a result of it. The companies' broad competance base and professionalism ensure unique access to skills.

This provides a strong foundation for cooperation and unity in development, marketing, recruitment of competence, and in making an exciting and competitive aquaculture industry visible in the international market.

The NCE Aquaculture partnership is formalised through business agreements between the following companies:

• Aker Seafoods ASA
• Bodø Innovation Centre (Kunnskapsparken i Bodø AS)
• AKVA Group ASA
• Nordlandsbanken
• BioMar AS
• Nova Sea AS
• Codfarmers ASA  
• NOFIMA
• Plastsveis AS
• Fjord Marin Cod AS
• Rapp Hydema Syd AS 
• Gildeskål Research Station AS (GIFAS)
• Skretting AS
• University of Nordland 
• Mainstream ASA
• Salten Aqua AS
• Vesterålen Fiskeripark
• SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Helgeland Havbruksstasjon AS
• Nordlaks AS
• PatoGen AS
• Norwegian Aquaculture Centre

Initiatives and projects
Activities within NCE Aquaculture are organised around 5 prioritised working areas. The core of this is innovative cooperation in practice, and further development of the relations and cluster dynamic that have been developed. The work is focused on projects and activities across companies and the industry, and which unify and strengthen the cluster as a whole. The cluster has given priority to projects within:

0. Market and reputation
0. Production, fish welfare, environment and technology
0. Competence and recruitment
0. External conditions
0. Networking and sharing of knowledge between companies

Strategy and objectives
NCE Aquaculture`s objective is to become a locomotive in the further development of Norwegian aquaculture, and related activities. The cluster companies' ambition is to increase a total value creation by NOK 5 billion, and give 600 new jobs in the region by 2017. These goals can be obtained by developing of existing activities, and building up the breeding of new species.  

The other objective which is important for NCE Aquaculture cluster is to establish a common and nationally coordinated R&D strategy. This will contribute to more efficient use of resources, faster problem-solving and shorter development periods before commercialisation.

NCE Aquaculture is also working with development and strengthening of network functions, meeting places and distribution channels.

The network cooperation must be binding, inclusive and based on the wish for common development and sharing of knowledge.

Please contact project manager Bjørn Gjellan Nielsen phone: (047) 957 02 780, e-mail: bgn@kpb.no for more information about the cluster and its projects