Creating value
2013
nofima.no
34
Financed by:
Ministry of Fisheries and
Coastal Affairs
Nofima’s database is important for understanding the situation in the fishing industry and forms the basis for many important assessments.
photo: frank gregersen © nofima
The extensive information linked to catch patterns,
structure, production and profitability in the fishing
industry has been built up over 40 years. This database
provides unique possibilities to perform analyses and
test economic models.
Policy priorities:
“This survey is extremely important
so politicians can gain an understanding of the situation
in the fishing industry. The results provide background
material for Ministers of Fisheries to develop policies for
the fishing industry,” says Bjørn Inge Bendiksen, who has
for many years worked on the annual survey of profit-
ability.
Nofima has also used the data to evaluate the effect
of many public measures, leading to the role of secre-
tariat for an official Norwegian report on the framework
conditions for the Norwegian seafood industry, to be
presented in 2014.
The industry’s organisations and various financial in-
stitutions emphasize the annual survey of profitability in
their planning. It also forms the basis for many research
projects and economic analyses carried out by Nofima.
The tale of the figures:
Despite many reports, the
seafood industry still struggles with profitability. But the
scientists can gain a lot from the figures and statistics.
“There is an abundance of opportunities and chal-
lenges. The problems in the Norwegian seafood industry
are primarily due to the financial crisis in many important
markets, high labour costs and seasonal fluctuations,”
says Director of Research Bent Dreyer.
With cod stocks at record levels, by the end of April
2013 an additional 30,000 tonnes of cod had been
caught compared to the same time last year.
“When nearly 50,000 tonnes of cod is landed in 14
days, naturally this creates challenges regarding quality,
logistics and markets,” says Dreyer.
One of the solutions Nofima is researching to reduce
the negative effects of such intensive seasonal fisheries
is capture-based aquaculture.
Nofima carries out an annual survey of profitability in the fishing indu
stry, which is of major benefit to the industry and public administration.
Data that provides direction
