Nesvik named new Norway fisheries minister

Nesvik, 52, takes over from Per Sandberg, who has resigned after heavy criticism for breaking Norwegian government security rules by taking his work phone on holiday to Iran.

Nesvik, from the west coast city of Ålesund, was presented to the media by Prime Minister Erna Solberg this afternoon.

An experienced politician and a member of the same Progressive Party (FrP) as Sandberg, Nesvik was a member of the Norwegian parliament, the Storting, for Møre og Romsdal from 1997 to 2017. From 2013 he was parliamentary leader of the party.

Friends for years

Sandberg was thanked by Solberg and then by Nesvik, who told him: “You and I have been friends for many years. You have been absolutely one of the best fisheries ministers this country has had and have done a wonderful job.

“You have focused on an industry that has been growing all the way. You have travelled all over the country and have visited different people with different opinions. I will carry on the work that you have started.”

Nesvik says he wants to make sure that the industry provides good jobs. He believes the most important thing is that growth and innovation can come within the supply industry and from those who work in processing plants and fish farms across the country.

“The most important thing for me is that I will be a fisheries minister for the whole country,” he said.

Sandberg has been under pressure for the past two weeks following the trip to Iran with his new partner, Bahareh Letnes, a former Miss Iran.

He broke rules by taking his government mobile phone with him, and failing to inform the Prime Minister of his trip.

According to several experts, the phone is likely to have been hacked by Iran on the holiday last month. 

Sandberg admitted he also vreached regulations when he took the phone with him on a working visit to China in May. 

“On my journey to China from 20 to 28 May 2018, I also brought my service phone, which is in violation of current guidelines in the department. This was incorrect,” Sandberg said.

Strong commitment

Prime Minister Solberg said Sandberg’s decision to resign had been correct, but paid tribute to his work for aquaculture.

“He has been a fisheries minister with a strong commitment to this industry that is important for jobs and development in coastal Norway. Particularly the establishment of the traffic light system, which regulates sustainable growth in the industry, will be important for jobs and value creation along the coast in the future,” said Solberg. 

She pointed out that in recent years seafood exports have reached new heights, with a new record year in 2017. 

“Per has also contributed to government work, with his long parliamentary experience,” said Solberg.

Roger Halsebakk, chief executive of Sølvtrans, the world’s biggest wellboat company, said in a short comment that the firm is losing a valuable employee, now that Nesvik has become fisheries minister.