Research and Development mobilizing symposium in Møre and Romsdal

There is a long tradition in Norway for a sustainable and economic exploitation of marine resources. In recent years? climate change, has led to relocation of species, introducing new raw material to the fishery industries. This requires development of both equipment and processing methods in marine industry. Our region have a large marine industrial cluster and is the main harbour for catching and landing of fish products. The marine/aquaculture industry is also well established in the region. The Research and innovation strategy for Møre og Romsdal county predict large growth in the marine industry in the following years, with a special emphasis on the health effects of marine ingredients. The strategy also points out that there are large volumes of unused material that needs to be utilized for a more sustainable and economic growth. Development and growth are strongly dependent on increased knowledge within biomarine industry. Local research institutes and the majority of the local biomarine companies are members of the biomarine cluster Blue LEGASEA, which goal is to be a global power centre for the production of sustainable marine ingredients that promote health, based on working up trimmings from fish processing, and bio-mass which is not used as food. Focus areas are sustainable management, harvesting and processing of marine resources, climate influence, seafood quality, better utilization of marine raw material and development of marine ingredients for human consumption and health. To reach these goals there is a demand for chemical and biochemical characterization of the raw material, documentation of health claims, LCA analysis, market studies and consumer behaviour. The R&D mobilizing symposium at Campus Aalesund aims to reinforce Møre og Romsdal as the centre of biomarin industry, strengthen Campus Aalesund as academic power centre for knowledge and innovation and.