Defence minister to head Directorate of Fisheries
Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries has appointed the country’s current minister of defence as its new head.
Frank Bakke-Jensen replaces Liv Holmefjord, who has been the government agency’s director since 2008 and will stand down at the beginning of October.
However, Bakke-Jensen cannot take up his position while he is still a serving member of the Norwegian parliament (Storting), according to a report in High North News, a newspaper based in Bodø, Nordland.
The director’s role will be filled temporarily by Per Sandberg, the current director of the statistics department at the Directorate. (Sandberg is not to be confused with the former fisheries minister of the same name.)
Important issues
Bakke-Jensen said in statement: ‘I have massive, important issues to see through as Defence Minister, and at present my capacity is fully focused on defence politics.
‘At the same time, I come from Båtsfjord [northernmost Norway] and the seafood industry is part of my DNA.
‘There will be a day when I am no longer a minister, and then I look forward to putting my energy into the seafood industry.
‘I have a strong engagement with the coast, the seafood industry and local businesses.’
The Directorate of Fisheries, headquartered in Bergen, manages fishing and aquaculture in Norway and advises the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
