09.00
by Mayor Tormod W. Losnedal, Municipality of Stavanger.
The main theme of AquaNext is: Growth – together! All industries need to grow. The alternative is stagnation and decline. One assumption is that the aquaculture industry must resolve all its challenges in order to grow. A more constructive (or, alternatively, realistic) approach is that the industry must grow while simultaneously addressing various challenges. This can only be achieved through collaboration between the aquaculture industry and suppliers. It must also be done in cooperation with policymakers and regulatory authorities. The prerequisites for success are fish welfare, technology, and governance. These are the driving forces behind the conference program and exhibition at AquaNext.
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Future, Politics and Regulatory Authorities
09.00-16.00
Artistic performance and opening
09.00
by Mayor Tormod W. Losnedal, Municipality of Stavanger.
Norwegian aquaculture cannot rely on yesterday’s success. If we are to maintain our position as the world’s leading seafood nation, the industry must think bigger, act faster, and make tougher priorities. At AquaNext, Blue Talk sets the stage for an ambitious panel discussion on the path toward 2040.
Where are the greatest growth opportunities?
What threatens competitiveness?
What actions must be taken now to ensure Norwegian aquaculture remains a global frontrunner in technology, sustainability, and food production?
Nina Grieg, Knut Nesse, Håvard Walde and Erlend Haugarvoll meet for an honest and forward-looking discussion on how the industry can move from pressure and stagnation to renewed momentum and direction. This is a conversation for everyone who wants to help shape the next chapter of Norwegian aquaculture. The discussion will be recorded as an episode of Blue Talk. The regular Blue Talk panel, with Dag Sletmo and Ragnar Tveterås, will provide a summary.
Coffee break - and the exhibition opens
10.00 – 10.30
The so-called “Draghi report” shows that Europe is losing competitiveness, particularly to the US and China. This is explained, among other things, by low productivity growth and limited innovation. It also points to excessive regulation and time-consuming bureaucratic processes.
What does this mean for Norway, and especially for the aquaculture industry? Are we properly organized in public administration? What is a matter for politics – and what can the administration itself change? What can the industry contribute?
We will explore these questions together with both industry and public authorities.
The introduction will be given by NORCE CEO Camilla Stoltenberg. She is a medical doctor with a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Oslo. Stoltenberg led the Norwegian Institute of Public Health from 2012 to 2023. She will reflect on opportunities for improving public administration and the interaction with industry.
Her introduction will be followed up by senior leaders in the aquaculture industry. What do they expect from the sector? What should be done differently? Public authorities will actively participate in the discussion.
Served in connection with the exhibition area.
We will discuss seafood and food preparedness. The “green sector” states that Norway’s self-sufficiency rate is between 40 and 47%. Is this correct?
What scenarios are we facing?
Could Norway end up in a situation where we are completely cut off from international supply chains – or is this not a relevant concern?
The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment will present different scenarios with major implications for food preparedness. Gunn Alice Birkemo holds a degree from NTNU and a PhD from the University of Oslo. Her research focuses on issues related to total defence and logistics preparedness.
Audun Iversen works at Nofima. He is a civil economist and holds a Cand. Oecon degree from NHH. He leads an FHF project aimed at generating new knowledge about the role of seafood in Norwegian food preparedness. The research will form the basis for concrete recommendations to strengthen preparedness.
We ask the politicians: Should seafood be part of food preparedness? Do we really have a self-sufficiency rate of only 40%?
The future aquaculture industry cannot be based on a historically developed spatial structure shaped by a first-come, first-served principle and varying political prioritization of areas. There is a need to use our marine areas for aquaculture in a more knowledge-based manner, adapted to production needs and technological possibilities. This challenges the authorities’ overall ability to balance environmental considerations, production goals, and societal interests, and calls for greater coordination within the industry.
The problems are well known, but what are the solutions?
Who takes responsibility for driving change?
What does the toolbox consist of?
How do we ensure a fair distribution of costs and benefits if the use of sites and structures must be changed?
We challenge some of the key stakeholders to explain how they can contribute with solutions. And, not least, how they intend to cooperate with other actors in the sector to achieve the necessary change.
Tonje Osmundsen opens with a problem description of how our marine areas are currently allocated, and what we need to solve in order to facilitate more sustainable development.
Coffee break and a visit to the exhibition
14.10
Is the struggle for the industry’s social license taking place between Grünerløkka and Austevoll? Has the country reached a point where central Eastern Norway does not understand productive value creation such as fish, oil, and aluminium? Or has the aquaculture industry created for itself an indignant reputation of “no one understands us,” thereby contributing to a growing distance from public opinion and decision-makers?
It may also be about other factors. The center–periphery conflict is a dominant axis in Norwegian politics. The conflict axis between value creation and conservation has become more prominent in recent years. The fur farming industry was suddenly shut down as a result of a government compromise, and the large pork industry was heavily debated in the recent Danish election campaign. Could the same threaten the seafood industry?
With reference to the above, can we say that the “culture war” has also reached the aquaculture industry?
The introduction is by Harald Stanghelle. He is a former editor-in-chief of Dagbladet and for many years political editor of Aftenposten. Today, Stanghelle is frequently used as a commentator on NRK and is a popular lecturer and public debater. He grew up in Vaksdal municipality in Vestland county, has lived for several years in Oslo, and is closely familiar with the center–periphery debate.
This will be an exciting lead-in to the panel discussion.
Technology, Solutions and Fish Welfare
12.30-16.00
Welcome to AquaNext Digitalization 2026. Over the course of three hours, we will explore together what digitalization actually means for the aquaculture industry – not as a buzzword, but as a concrete driver of value creation for companies, the industry, and society.
We have set a clear goal: that you as a participant leave with a better understanding of what data can create in terms of long-term biological and operational value, and what is required from individual companies and the industry in order to succeed in practice. The program is built around three pillars: digital economy, leadership and responsibility, and – not least – the path from words to action.
Moderator Shahzad Rana was Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft Norway for fifteen years and is one of Norway’s most experienced voices in digitalization and technology leadership. He started in the IT industry in the early 1990s and has over the years founded several companies. He is a highly sought-after moderator and speaker at conferences and debates on technology, innovation, and the digital shift.
The program committee consists of:
Trond Erik Bones, Senior Consultant, Fraktal
Anders Storebø, Lead Digital Transformation – Farming, Lerøy
Thomas Wiig, Group CDO, Scale AQ
Kristine Hartmann, Managing Director, Salmon Living Lab
Lars Ebbesson, Chief Researcher – Akvakultur, Norce
The digitalization of the aquaculture industry has been discussed for years. But where do we actually stand today? Have the investments delivered the results we expected? And what is the gap between ambition and everyday reality out on the farms? Four voices from different parts of the industry share their perspectives – honestly and without filters.
Oda Aase Johnsen holds a master’s degree in Strategy, Organization and Management from Copenhagen Business School and has worked in everything from large corporations and consulting firms to startups. She also has two years of experience as a consultant for a fish farming company. In 2025, she started as Product Manager at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), where she is responsible for digital product development within aquaculture and leads two cross-functional product teams.
Arnt Mjøen is IT Director at Mowi, the world’s leading seafood company and largest producer of Atlantic salmon. With over 25 years of international experience in the food industry – with a strong focus on IT, processes, and digitalization – he is one of the most experienced IT leaders in the aquaculture industry. He has played a key role in Mowi’s MOWInsight journey, where the goal is to build a data platform that provides better decision-making support across the entire value chain.
Stian Bakke is a Senior Consultant and responsible for technology and business development at Fraktal Norge. He has extensive experience with data platforms, analytics, and digitalization across industries, and is a sought-after speaker on topics such as dbt, AI, and data-driven solutions. Fraktal Norge is one of Norway’s leading consulting companies within data platforms and analytics.
Nikolas van Etten is Product Director at ScaleAQ Software, where he works with product strategy and the development of digital solutions for the aquaculture industry. He has a background in development, UX, and product management, and has over several years played a key role in developing solutions that support both operational operations and data-driven decision-making in aquaculture. He is particularly focused on how technology and good user experiences can contribute to increased insight and better decision-making in a complex industry.
Data sharing is not free. The more data that is shared and used across actors, the higher the costs become — something both suppliers and customers are experiencing. The question is no longer whether digitalization creates value, but who should finance it. What must business models look like for both farmers and suppliers to continue investing?
Lasse Lien is a professor at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) and one of Norway’s leading researchers on strategy and competitive advantage. For many years, he has researched digitalization, business models, and value creation in Norwegian industries. In his presentation, Lien will talk about how digitalization is changing competition, and what consequences this has for strategy and organization – including partnerships and collaboration.
We are not lacking data in the aquaculture industry – we are lacking ownership and a common language for using it. Although almost all suppliers offer APIs, we are left with fragmented data, different methods, and different “truths” that are difficult to stitch together. The experience from Lerøy Seafood Group is clear: value only emerges when someone takes responsibility for structure, standards, and coherence. Being data-driven is not about technology you buy, but work you do. Everyone has an API – but no one has done the work for you.
Sophie Fossmark is Product Manager for Aquaculture Biology and Fish Health. She holds a master’s degree from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). Her team delivers data-driven decision support for both operational and strategic decisions, with the goal of optimizing biological performance in Lerøy. She has a strong focus on ensuring that data and analytics do not just support decisions – but drive them.
Astrid Johnsen Tessem is a Data Engineer in the Biology & Fish Health team at Lerøy Seafood Group. She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from NTNU and has more than eight years of experience working with data and analytics. After spending most of her career in the media industry, developing data-driven personalization and recommendation solutions, she joined Lerøy, where she develops data models that enable traceability from roe to harvest. Astrid is passionate about transforming complex datasets into practical decision-support tools that improve biological performance and operational insights across aquaculture.
Break
Three companies will present a challenge – and how they are addressing it.
Tidal, represented by Kristian Blom, Customer Experience and Data Strategy Lead
How to close the loop with autonomous sea lice treatment.
OptoScale
Sharing their latest experiences.
AquaCloud
DNV will share insights into the way forward.
The three quick rounds have shown that solutions exist. But the question that always arises is: who creates the value, and who captures it? Is it the farmer, the supplier, or the platform that ultimately benefits from digitalization?
Moderator Shahzad Rana goes straight in with some sharp questions directed at the suppliers. A short, direct debate that connects Lasse Lien’s equation from his presentation to what Aker BP will show us afterwards — that it is actually possible to succeed.
Aker BP is recognized as one of the companies in Norway that is furthest ahead when it comes to digitalizing its organization. How have they anchored processes from the boardroom and throughout the entire organization? Is it more about change management than technological transformation? And how do they work in partnership with their suppliers?
Thomas Hoff-Hansen is CIO at Aker BP, responsible for further developing the company’s digital capabilities and use of data, automation, and AI. He has served as CIO since March 2024 and has more than 16 years of experience from both offshore and onshore roles in the company. Thomas holds a master’s degree in cybernetics from the University of Stavanger and is engaged in digital transformation and responsible use of AI.
What comes after the first steps of digitalization? The industry has data — but are we sharing it correctly, and for the right purpose?
The aquaculture industry has come some way, but the real gains require something more: that data actually changes the way we work. The Salmon Health Register shows that transparency is possible — but transparency alone does not trigger changes in production. What is needed for data sharing to become a tool for improvement rather than just reporting? And who actually owns the use cases that make sharing worthwhile?
The panel discusses what “what’s next” means for digital collaboration in the industry — from shared registries and data spaces to lessons from other sectors that have already moved ahead. Farmers do not share data just for the sake of sharing. There must be a reason. That is the reason we are looking for.
Camilla Stoltenberg is CEO of Norce, one of Norway’s largest research institutes. She has extensive experience from the public sector and has played a central role in building national data infrastructures, including as Director of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Kristine Hartmann is Managing Director of Salmon Living Lab and works closely with the industry on the development of new production concepts and technologies. She is focused on ensuring that innovation happens through collaboration between research, industry, and authorities.
Catarina Martins is Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer at Mowi, the world’s largest producer of Atlantic salmon. With a PhD in aquaculture from Wageningen University and extensive experience in environment, sustainability, and technology leadership since joining the company in 2013, she leads Mowi’s work on Smart Farming, data-driven solutions, and sustainability strategy. She is a sought-after international voice on precision aquaculture and the future of food production from the sea.
Land-based aquaculture has achieved significant results in several areas. At the same time, the journey has been demanding, marked by challenges and valuable learning along the way. In this seminar, you will meet some of the country’s leading companies and experts who will share their experiences and insights. How will companies further develop their post-smolt strategies? Is the production of food fish on land economically sustainable? And what is required to optimize production in the interaction between biology, technology, and process?
The seminar provides practical and applicable knowledge and is suitable for managers and operational personnel at fish farmers, technology suppliers, fish health advisors, and regulatory authorities.
The program is developed by:
Siri Tømmerås, Commercial Director, AKVA group
Inger Lise Breivik, Senior Advisor, DNV
Arne Staveland, RAS Tecnical Manager, Mowi
Bjarte Sævareid, Production Manager, Baring
Bjørn Dørum, Chair of board, Mat-kuling
Three experienced leaders and experts reflect on the status of land-based aquaculture. Where do we stand, what has been achieved, and what do they believe will be the challenges ahead?
Solveig M. R. Nygaard is a veterinarian, former head of the fish health company FoMAS, and now a consultant in fish health.
Trond Rosten is team leader for closed containment farming at Mowi. He is educated at NTNU as a fish physiologist.
Marit Holmvaag Mehus is Head of Hatchery Operations at Cermaq. She holds a Master’s degree in Marine Biology from NTNU.
Land-based aquaculture has, in some circles, been seen as the best solution for protecting wild salmon, as well as being circular and emission-free. Is it really that simple?
Contact with wild fish and exposure to sea lice are reduced, but the consequences can be significant if an external infection does enter the facility. A recent inspection found that 3 out of 4 facilities lacked satisfactory discharge controls, and that many failed to meet water treatment requirements.
What problems do we solve – and what new problems do we create – when a longer part of the farmed fish life cycle is moved onto land? What do the numbers tell us, and what risk factors do we see going forward?
At the intersection between biology, operations, and fish welfare lies one of the more enigmatic challenges in modern hatchery production: kidney health in juvenile salmon. Through the NephroReduce project, we are now beginning to unravel what influences early nephro-related problems and what we can actually do about them. In this session, we invite you to join the hunt for the kidney stone. From the first biological clues to the latest field results, we take a closer look, ask the difficult questions, and explore how new knowledge can be translated into better practice.
Inger Lise Breivik, Head of Fish Health, Western Region, DNV. More info to come.
Marius Takvam, Researcher, UiB. More info to come.
Break
Årdal Akva, Nordic Aqua Partners, and Andfjord Salmon have all succeeded in their production and can demonstrate strong results. As pioneers, they have learned what it takes to succeed – and what should be avoided. From the stage, these three companies will share their stories.
We will hear short and interesting presentations from three suppliers.
AquaNext Young is a collaboration with YoungFish aimed at creating a dedicated meeting place and program for young professionals in the aquaculture industry – with a focus on networking, competence development, and career growth during AquaNext.
Program Hightlights
Program Comittee:
Thord Håkon Bakke – Blue Planet
Andrea Viga Søndenaa – Blue Planet Academy
Håvard Hjartnes – Clarify
Hanna Rørtveit – Fishglobe
Martin Bua Rønhovde – Blue Planet
Amalie Arntsen – DNV
11.00-16.00
Globen is a conference arena that is free for everyone visiting the exhibition. It will feature technology presentations, an export seminar, an investor seminar and more.
7 Fish Welfare Solutions in 70 Minutes
11:30–13:30
Seven unique technology providers will present solutions to a specific professional challenge related to improving fish welfare.
Export Seminar
13:30–14:30
Eksfin, Innovation Norway and DNB
Norce
15:00–16:00
Technology, Solutions and Fish Welfare
09.00-16.00
In the oil and energy industry, close customer–supplier collaboration is common. Long-term agreements are often established, which also provide incentives for suppliers. In some cases, companies also contribute capital to technology development. Does the aquaculture industry have something to learn from this sector – or is this something companies can do simply because they have an abundance of capital?
Ståle Kyllingstad bought his first company before the age of 30 – today he leads and owns IKM Gruppen, with 4,000 employees and NOK 10 billion in revenue. We will speak with Kyllingstad, who is also Chair of the Board of Norsk Industri.
Arnstein Hosaas and Dag Øyvind Meling also have long experience from the supplier side in the oil industry. What experiences have they brought into a new industry for them? Harald Takle and Linda Litlekalsøy Aase respond on behalf of the fish farmers. Are they only focused on price?
Coffee break and exhibition visit
10.00 – 10.30
Sinkaberg, Mowi and Lerøy have extensive experience with various shielding solutions. We will bring three highly knowledgeable experts to the stage, who will share their companies’ experiences.
Therese Tande will give us an overview of the supplier landscape in Norway today. How many different suppliers and technologies are available? We will meet five leading suppliers, all with solutions currently in use.
In this session, participants will spend two hours discussing key aspects of fish welfare and possible solutions. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is represented by senior officials: Inge Erlend Næsset, Director of Regulation and Control, and Kasper Løberg Tangen, Head of Fish Health and Animal Welfare. They will be challenged on what will be most important for the Authority going forward, how they see the industry developing while ensuring good fish welfare, what expectations they have of the industry to improve collaboration, and what the Authority itself must do to further strengthen cooperation.
The panel also includes three fish farmers representing Northern, Central, and Southern Norway. They will discuss expectations, wishes, strengths, and shortcomings in the Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s work. The Authority will engage directly with the panel in an open discussion.
The fish welfare session is organized by:
Kari Lillesund, Fish Health Manager, Alsaker Fjordbruk
Stine Kolstø, Fish Health, Grieg Seafood
Hanna Særeraas Bjerke-Ertenstein, Head of Fish Health, Aqua Kompetanse
Lars G. Jørgensen, Fish Health Biologisk – Area Sales Manager Norway & Nordics, Pharmaq
Our expectation of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Panel participants:
Karl Fredrik Ottem, Director of Fish Health and Welfare, Cermaq Norge
Ketil Rykhus, Veterinarian and Community Relations Manager, Sinkaberg
Geir Magne Knudsen, Head of Strategy and Development, Bremnes Seashore
Debate: The Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the industry – How Can We Succeed Together?
Three experienced professionals share their best insights on what creates optimal fish welfare. They may also share a short story about what not to do.
Three companies will share new insights and results from their work in 10-minute lightning talks: Harbor, Aqua Kompetanse and Frøy.
We conclude the session with a conversation with three highly experienced professionals in fish welfare.
Sven Martin Jørgensen, PhD in Molecular Immunology, Head of Fish Health and Welfare, FHF
Solveig M. R. Nygaard, Veterinarian, former head of the fish health company FoMAS, now consultant in fish health
Øyvind Salvesen, Veterinarian, Senior Advisor Fish Health, DNV
After two intense days exploring key topics in aquaculture, we will bring AquaNext to a close with an inspiring conversation with Aksel Lund Svindal.
Aksel has been one of Norway’s most prominent athletes. He has won World Cup titles, Olympic gold and multiple World Championship gold medals. He is also a well-known host of Mesternes mester and has built a successful career as an investor.
In conversation with AquaNext CEO Sigurd Vik, Aksel will share insights into what it takes to succeed as an athlete. He will also talk about injuries, setbacks and adversity. What can we, as individuals and teams, learn from Aksel’s mindset? And how does he apply these principles in his work as an investor?
Sigurd Vik previously worked as an advisor in national and international team and organisational development. He is the author of Prestasjonskultur og prestasjonsledelse (Performance Culture and Performance Management), an extensive study in which he interviewed senior executives, elite athletes, national team coaches and cultural figures to identify the common factors behind high performance – regardless of the field.
These findings will also form a key part of the conversation between Aksel and Sigurd.
09.00-16.00
Feed and Raw Materials
09.00 – 12.30
There will be a seperate half-day seminar on feed and raw materials. The program will be published in early May.
AquaNext Young
09.00 – 13.00
Professional Course
AquaNext Young is creating a dedicated professional program specially tailored for members of YoungFish.
Module 1: AI in Aquaculture with Clarify
Lunch
Module 2: Aquaculture Economics with Ragnar Tveterås
Nettverk for fjord og kystkommuner NFKK (closed event)
10.30-16.00
Globen is a conference arena that is free for everyone visiting the exhibition. It will feature technology presentations, an export seminar, an investor seminar and more.
DNV and AquaCloud
10:00–11:00
DNV will first invite you to a pastry and networking session, followed by AquaCloud presenting its plans and future ambitions.
7 Digital Solutions in 70 Minutes
11:15–13:15
Seven unique technology providers and exhibitors will be challenged to present a specific problem for which they have a strong digital solution.
Investor Seminar
13:30–15:30
10 scale-up companies will get the opportunity to meet with leading investment communities.
The conference halls as part of the exhibition.
Interesting panel discussions
Exciting productions