This year's North Atlantic Seafood Forum (NASF) set a new record with its most comprehensive program and strong international participation from over 30 countries. The conference served as a strategic meeting place for senior executives in the seafood industry, with topics such as market outlook, technology, and sustainability.
This year'sNorth Atlantic Seafood Forum (NASF)marked a historic high point with a record-breaking program and a strong international presence. According to conference director André Akse and communications manager Ben-Eric Ness, this year's event was the most comprehensive in the forum's history.
"We have had around 180 speakers and an additional 20 or so people participating on various stages and platforms. The program is the most comprehensive we have ever had," says Akse.
Participants from more than 30 countries
The conference attracted participants from over 30 countries, highlighting its global significance in the seafood industry. Although Norway remained the largest contributor, a significant international presence shaped the event. Among the international delegates were high-level representatives from Iceland, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and the United States.
"Many of the companies that come here represent around 30 percent of global seafood production," says Akse.
A strategic meeting place for top executives
NASF is not a technical conference, but a strategic forum for senior executives from some of the world's largest seafood and supplier companies.
"This is a meeting place for top executives. The most important thing is not technical details, but the strategic discussions and meetings between leaders," explains Akse.
The program consisted of thematic main sections:
- global market outlook
- sessions on salmon, the pelagic sector, and whitefish
- feed and feed-related products
- sustainability
- technology and development
"All sessions are designed for strategic management, not technical management," says Akse.
Bergen's role: significant, but not decisive
Bergen is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and home to many of Norway's largest seafood companies, which Akse believes provides a natural setting for the conference. Nevertheless, he emphasizes that the NASF's significance extends far beyond its geographical location.
"This is bigger than Bergen. This is essentially the European seafood market, with participation from the largest players outside Europe as well," he says. Nevertheless, it is an advantage that the conference is being held in the city:
"Since many of the largest seafood companies are based here, they don't have to travel. Instead, the world comes to Bergen. This makes the entire conference very efficient," says Akse.
In addition to the official program, there are also a large number of meetings behind the scenes.
"Hundreds of meetings are taking place at various levels outside the conference itself. Around 30 percent of participants are here specifically for these meetings," says Akse.
Sustainability award highlighted: Veramaris wins this year's North Atlantic Sustainability Award
Akse and Ness would particularly like to highlight this year's newly introduced North Atlantic Sustainability Award, which went to the Dutch algae oil companyVeramarisfor their work on sustainable innovation.
"We want to recognize the players who are keeping the pressure on sustainability. It is important to show industry leaders that this is not just a buzzword. It is an issue we must continue to work on," says Ness.
He points out that sustainable operations are not always the most economical choice:
– It can be a little more expensive. But we have one world and one ocean. That's how we have to think.
