AQUACULTURE An industry in growth Summary of Programme Plan / Action Plan 2006

Transcription

1 Large Scale Research Programme AQUACULTURE An industry in growth Summary of Programme Plan / Action Plan 2006 September, 2005 Vision: Aquaculture our most important growth industry

2 1. Background Aquaculture an industry of national and international importance The value of Norwegian aquaculture with regard to exports, jobs and coastal settlement patterns is enormous. In the course of the last 30 years, the Norwegian aquaculture industry has evolved from a supplementary industry into the world s leading exporter of salmon and trout. The industry has an international focus in terms of ownership, markets, customers and suppliers of knowledge, products and services. Over 90 per cent of fish produced in Norway is exported, providing the basis for many jobs in the foodstuffs industry in the EU as well as in other countries. Export revenues from Norwegian aquaculture for 2004 totalled NOK 12.5 billion. The 2004 turnover from goods and services from the Norwegian supply industry exceeded NOK 1 billion, of which 30 per cent comprised export earnings. Aquaculture is one of Norway s most international industries with locally-based production. Aquaculture in the Research Council In light of the Research Council of Norway s efforts to further develop the aquaculture industry, the large scale research programme AQUACULTURE An industry in growth 1 has been established. The programme creates a framework for wide-ranging co-operation between the aquaculture industry, the supply industry, the research community and the authorities. The research programme comprises the Research Council s most important initiative in relation to aquaculture. It is an integral part of the Research Council s focus on priority areas involving marine resources and foodstuffs, which also encompasses other programmes and instruments. A wide range of different institutions and sectors in Norway contribute to research and development vis-à-vis the aquaculture industry, and several of these are on the cutting edge internationally. The industrial sector is involved in many ways and a number of international companies have major research groups situated in Norway. Norway has a number of public and private aquaculture stations and specialised laboratories which play a key role in carrying out aquaculture research. The prospects for beneficial international co-operation are excellent in a number of different areas. International co-operation must be viewed in the context of efforts to enhance expertise in areas of national and international interest. Researcher exchange schemes with international research institutions will be launched for fellowship-holders and researchers alike. International co-operation, particularly in terms of mobility, is encouraged at the fellowship and post-doctoral level, and the programme will enable Norwegian researchers to undertake research and study abroad, while international researchers may do the same at Norwegian institutions. Foresight analysis, Programme Plan and Action Plan From autumn 2003 to spring 2004, a foresight analysis entitled Aquaculture 2020 was carried out by the Research Council in co-operation with Innovation Norway as part of the planning of the new aquaculture research programme. In all, some 70 representatives of the industrial 1 AQUACULTURE - An industry in growth is one of seven large-scale programmes launched by the Research Council of Norway (2004). The large-scale programmes serve as a vital instrument in the Research Council's efforts to realise key research-policy objectives. The programmes are designed to enhance knowledge in a long-term national perspective, and seek to promote increased innovation and value creation as well as to generate insights that can help to resolve critical challenges facing society. The large-scale programmes employ strategically designed funding schemes to link together basic research, applied research and innovation across traditional disciplinary and sectoral dividing lines. 2

3 sector, research establishment and government administration took part in the process, which resulted in a wide variety of strategic recommendations aimed at research, the authorities and industry. The results of the analysis have been published in the report Aquaculture 2020: Transcending the Barriers As long as. The foresight analysis has been a source of information and inspiration in efforts to devise this Programme Plan, which is also based on several other recently produced reports and plans. The Programme Plan describes the underlying scientific and financial needs of the research programme and is meant to serve as a unifying document motivating research activity in respect of the topics encompassed by the programme. The plan covers the duration of the programme, , with the possibility of revision on an ongoing basis. The Action Plan is devised on the basis of the Programme Plan, and indicates the current priorities of the programme to the research community. It also forms the foundation for the calls for grant proposals. It constitutes an essential document for the programme board s discussions with the Research Council s governing bodies in connection with budget proposals and anticipated results. The Action Plan is updated annually. 2. Objectives Objectives To procure knowledge as the foundation for a profitable, wealth-creating aquaculture industry based on sustainable, market-oriented production. To ensure that the research community and the Norwegian aquaculture industry develop knowledge of a high international standard within the areas important to the advancement of the industry. Secondary objectives are: To increase wealth creation and profitability in the salmon industry based on sustainable, market-oriented production at all stages of the value chain. To develop wealth-creating, profitable industrial activity at all stages of the value chain based on at least one new species in the course of the programme period and, in addition, to acquire knowledge about selected species with a view to commercialisation. To ensure that all production and all products are developed within an acceptable framework with regard to sustainability, environmental concerns, animal welfare and food safety. To ensure long-term, strategic knowledge enhancement of a high international standard within the research community, industry and government administration. Target group The programme shall encompass the cultivation of salmonids and other species throughout the entire value chain, as well as parts of catch-based aquaculture and sea-ranching, leading to the market for minimally-processed products. 2 The programme s target group is all 2 The market for processed products is taken care of by the Food Research Programme. 3

4 components of the aquaculture industry, including the supply industry and various customer groups, research institutes, universities and university colleges. The authorities, too, comprise an important part of the programme s target group, as they are responsible for resource management and for creating a framework for commercial development within the sector. Species Within a limited financial framework, research activity involving species development will be given priority. The programme will encompass research activity for salmonids, in which salmon will be given highest priority, and for new species, with special priority given to cod. The programme will also include activities relating to halibut, mussels and scallops. Research involving other species may be supported through projects in which the aquaculture industry is involved. 3. Use of instruments The programme will employ a variety of instruments, the most important of which are as follows: Researcher projects, projects which are normally proposed by research institutes, universities or university colleges. Knowledge-building projects with user involvement, projects which are normally proposed by research institutes, universities or colleges, but to which trade and industry contributes. User-led innovation projects, which are normally proposed by companies. In addition, the SkatteFUNN tax deduction scheme will be an important instrument for user-directed activity. The programme will seek to enhance recruitment through doctoral programmes and postdoctoral fellowships. International mobility is of key importance, and encompasses both research stays for Norwegian researchers/fellowship holders at international R&D institutions and stays for foreign researchers in Norway. The establishment of research groups from a cross-section of institutions and regions will help to ensure that a critical mass of researchers is achieved in relation to defined research platforms, and will play a vital role in the further development of the aquaculture industry. The programme is designed to motivate the research community and industry to establish and develop modern techniques and methods which will advance research and innovation and enhance the effectiveness of research. Various new techniques in technology and molecular biology spheres, IT, nanotechnology and material technology are expected to be of particular significance. 4

5 4. Programme structure and prioritisation of research tasks 4.1 Programme structure The programme is divided into the following six sub-programmes: Strategic areas of focus for competitive advantages and wealth creation Strategic basic research Sustainability Production of salmonids Production of other species Knowledge culture and innovation for aquaculture Strategic areas of focus for competitive advantages and wealth creation Importance will be attached to building up strategic expertise which can provide particularly meaningful competitive advantages and enhance the basis for wealth creation. Grant applications will be expected to incorporate a range of institutions and subjects, both nationally and internationally, with a view to establishing the best possible expertise. Each project may have a duration of maximum four years, and should be planned within a funding framework of not more than NOK 3 million per year in allocations. Under the current financial situation, funding can only be granted to a small number of projects. Co-financing using internal funding and/or external sources is expected. Collaboration with appropriate companies is of interest, and emphasis will be placed on researcher recruitment. Priority will be given to the following subject areas within the period of the Action Plan: Efficient, sustainable technology Science base for the development of vaccines Alternative feedstuffs and nutrition Normal development malformation Strategic basic research Objective: To ensure long-term, strategic knowledge enhancement of a high international standard within the research community, industry and government administration. The term strategic basic research refers to basic research associated with topics and species relevant to the further development of the aquaculture industry. The objective of strategic basic research is to increase the general knowledge base concerning the topic or species involved as well as to form the foundation for future application of such knowledge directly or through applied research. In this sub-programme, priority will be given to the following subject areas: Production biology and environmental conditions Health Alternative feedstuffs and nutritional requirements Genetics and breeding Production technology Product quality healthy food 5

6 4.1.3 Sustainability Objective: To ensure that all production and all products are developed within an acceptable framework with regard to sustainability, environmental concerns, animal welfare and food safety. In this sub-programme, priority will be given to the following subject areas: Environmental and ecological impacts Safe food and safe feed Animal welfare Projects that generate both basic knowledge and more short-term, problem-solving measures will be considered important. Increased knowledge about environmental issues, animal welfare and food safety will be crucial for enabling the government administration to establish a framework that will facilitate sound development of the industry Production of salmonids Objective: To increase wealth creation and profitability in the salmon industry based on sustainable, market-oriented production at all stages of the value chain. This sub-programme will focus on projects involving problem-solving measures in the value chain for salmonids and/or the supply industry. Special emphasis will be placed on knowledge transfer. There is a considerable need to enhance knowledge concerning market access and how the market functions, as well as knowledge to support industrial development, trade policy and land-use policy. The primary responsibility for research in these areas will lie with the Food Research Programme and the AREAL programme, respectively. The HAVBRUK programme will collaborate with these programmes on carrying out certain aspects of this research Production of other species Objective: To develop wealth-creating, profitable industrial activity at all stages of the value chain based on at least one new species in the course of the programme period and, in addition, to acquire knowledge about selected species with a view to commercialisation. This sub-programme will focus on projects involving problem-solving measures in the value chain for other species (than salmon and trout) and/or the supply industry. Special emphasis will be placed on knowledge transfer. There is a considerable need to enhance knowledge concerning market access and how the market functions, as well as knowledge to support industrial development, trade policy and land-use policy. The primary responsibility for research in these areas will lie with the Food Research Programme and the AREAL programme, respectively. The HAVBRUK programme will collaborate with these programmes on carrying out certain aspects of this research. 6

7 4.2 Other relevant programmes and instruments Programmes and instruments within the Research Council Food Research Programme R&D Programme for Area and Nature-based Industrial Development (AREAL) Oceans and Coastal Areas Research Programme (HAVKYST) Commercialisation of R&D Results (FORNY) Functional Genomics in Norway (FUGE) MAROFF Innovation Programme for Maritime Activities and Offshore Programme for the Mobilisation of R&D-related Innovation (MOBI) SkatteFUNN tax deduction scheme Strategic programmes Other large-scale programmes External partners Innovation Norway and the Fishery and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund (FHF) will be key external partners in a number of areas. 5. International co-operation A number of areas within the aquaculture research sphere provide an excellent arena for international cooperation to increase competence in fields of national and international interest. Quality-promoting international cooperation will be stressed as an integral part of the Aquaculture Research Programme, and active, systematic international cooperation will be encouraged through project funding and initiatives vis-à-vis partners abroad. Measures include schemes to enable fellowship-holders and researchers to participate in research and study initiatives abroad, and motivate international researchers to take part in similar initiatives in Norway. Increased international mobility for fellowship-holders and postdoctoral candidates will be particularly encouraged. Contact persons Programme coordinator: Rolf Giskeødegård Tel rg@rcn.no Programme secretary: Ellen Gjøsteen Tel eg@rcn.no For more information about the programme, please see: 7