Ex-minister and former seafood council chief join Norcod board

She earlier served as state secretary in Norway’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, and from 2011 to 2015 was mayor of Hjelmeland Municipality, one of the largest aquaculture communities in Rogaland County.

Larsen has been chief executive of the Norwegian Seafood Council for the past six years and also comes armed with deep knowledge of the seafood industry, including as chief financial officer and subsequently managing director of salmon producer Lerøy Aurora.  

Current board chairman Marit Solberg, together with board members Boe Spurre and Tore Tønseth, will not be standing for re-election at Norcod’s ordinary general meeting this week. The new chairman is Jan Severin Sølbek, who is majority owner of Norcod and has been involved in the company as an investor since 2019.

An excellent position

“It has been fantastic to participate in the rebuilding of the farmed cod industry and be witness to the success Norcod has achieved so far,” said Solberg in a press release. “The company is in an excellent position, and I am happy to pass on responsibility to the new board. I am confident that Trine and Renate can contribute greatly to Norcod’s further development.”

Danielsen, whose career included seven years as general manager of the Mowi-led Centre for Aquaculture Competence in Norway, said: “Aquaculture is the only sustainable means of increasing seafood supply to meet the food needs of the world’s growing population. Responsible cod farming will be a big part of that story and I am very proud to be joining the board of a company committed to the highest sustainability standards. I look forward to working alongside the tremendous team they have built up, both in leadership and skilled technicians on the ground.”

Premium biomass

Larsen, who left her role with the NSC this month, said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Norcod board and will do all I can to support the company during the next stages of its development. They have come a long way already and the future looks very bright, in terms of premium biomass, value-chain partnerships and strong demand for a first-class product.”

Norcod chief executive Christian Riber said he was extremely pleased that Danielsen and Larsen were joining the company.

“Their outstanding experience and insight from fish farming and the Norwegian seafood industry will be invaluable for our further growth. It’s a real feather in our cap to have them on board,” said Riber.

Norcod has finalised its first full production cycle and is set to begin harvesting its second cycle in the third quarter of this year. It will also be putting its third cycle of cod into the sea phase this summer.