The Norwegian Seafood Council hosted Norway’s new Minister of Trade and Industry Jan Christian Vestre for a tour of New York area seafood markets as part of his first trip to the United States. He was joined by Anne-Kristine Øen, U.S. director for the Norwegian Seafood Council and Alf-Gøran Knutsen, CEO of Kvarøy Arctic, a leading family-owned Norwegian salmon exporter that was recently was named Whole Foods Supplier of the Year.
n his new role with strong ties to the rapidly growing U.S. seafood industry, Minister Vestre spoke to Norway’s responsibility to promote and pioneer sustainable practices in seafood production, both with regards to wild-caught and farmed fish. He also stressed the desire to promote responsible ocean harvesting and the Norwegian Prime Minister’s commitment to lead a high-level panel for a sustainable ocean economy.