SIS Newbie
Utilization and management of new marine species in norwegian waters
Climate change and shifting migration patterns are causing new marine species to appear more frequently in Norwegian waters. The SIS Newbie project will explore how these resources can be managed and utilized in a sustainable and profitable way, with a particular focus on food production and value creation.
Start
01. Jan 2024
End
31. Dec 2027
Funded by
Nofima
Bakgrunn
The influx of new marine species into Norwegian waters is not uncommon. We can expect this to increase in the future due to climate change and altered migration patterns of fish stocks. Therefore, there is a significant need to increase knowledge on how such resources can and should be utilized and managed.
New marine species can challenge the existing ecosystem, but they can also provide more food, new fisheries, and profitable business opportunities. The king crab is a good example of how a new fishery can be established profitably, despite the challenges this species has created for the ecosystem and other fisheries.
This project will further develop knowledge on the sustainable utilization of new marine species while exploiting their food and value potential. Optimal utilization of marine resources provides economic, ethical, and environmental benefits, and it should be a goal that the raw material follows the “food-first principle” and is then used to the highest possible value.
Goal
The project aims to focus primarily on the food-first principle by aligning catch timing with quality.
The main goal is to optimize the sustainable and profitable utilization of new species and fisheries in Norwegian waters by closely examining animal welfare and quality, total biomass utilization, market opportunities, and management.
How we work
This project focuses on two species, pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). The former has recently migrated into Norwegian waters, while the latter has always been present but has not been utilized as a resource for a long time. Both are now being considered for commercial exploitation by Norwegian stakeholders.
These are two very different species in terms of distribution, fishing, and history. Pink salmon is considered an invasive species, and efforts have been made to prevent its spread. Fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna in Norway was practically banned in the 1980s due to a significant decline in the population. This decline was caused by overfishing both nationally and internationally, leading to a fishing ban in Norwegian waters to protect the stock.
It was not until 2014 that limited, quota-based fishing for bluefin tuna was allowed again in Norway, as the population showed signs of recovery due to international conservation efforts. Since then, the Norwegian quota has been increased tenfold.
The project aims to develop knowledge on how to best manage and utilize new resources in a way that ensures sustainable fishing and profitable production, with the goal that the raw material follows the “food-first principle.”
The project will also explore new markets and consumer acceptance for these species, as well as investigate technologies for quality assessment that reduce waste and maximize product utilization.
Strategic priority areas
Nofima invests its own resources in order to increase competence in useful, relevant and innovative areas and strengthen our position among the leading applied research institutes.
