Sustainable Aquaculture Through Norway-Türkiye Collaboration

The Aqua Culture Contact Forum, held in Izmir in October 2024, emerged as a groundbreaking event that aimed to strengthen the robust partnership between Norway and Türkiye in the field of aquaculture.

The forum brought together Norway’s globally renowned expertise in sustainability-focused aquaculture and Türkiye’s rapidly growing potential in the sector.

Vision of the Event: Environmental Sustainability and Technological Innovation
The Aqua Culture Contact Forum not only reinforced bilateral collaboration but also aimed to present innovative solutions that would shape the future of the industry. Topics ranging from closed-loop systems that minimize environmental impact to advanced biosecurity practices were addressed.



Organized under the leadership of OctoAqua, the event provided a platform where Turkish and Norwegian stakeholders shared a vision for sustainable aquaculture supported by eco-friendly technologies. OctoAqua’s strategic approach was evident in the meticulous organization of the forum, facilitating efficient knowledge exchange between Norway and Türkiye and significantly advancing sustainability goals.

Norwegian Ambassador Andreas Gaarder, Izmir Commodity Exchange Chairperson Işınsu Kestelli, and Aegean Exporters' Associations Coordinator Chairperson Jak Eskinazi emphasized in their opening speeches that this forum was more than a sectoral gathering—it was a crucial step towards deepening ties between Türkiye and Norway. Ece Çeltikçi, Head of Department at the Ministry of Trade, highlighted the strategic importance of such events in enhancing the international competitiveness of the sector.

OctoAqua CEO Dr. Ertuğrul Gündoğdu encapsulated the forum's vision with the statement, “Through this collaboration, Norway and Türkiye will set global benchmarks in the aquaculture industry.”

Norway: A Pioneer in Advanced Technology and Sustainability Models
As the world’s largest exporter of salmon, Norway leads in low-carbon technologies in aquaculture. The country’s biosecurity standards and environmentally-conscious farming practices are exemplary. In his speech, Norwegian Ambassador Andreas Gaarder emphasized that by sharing Norway’s expertise with Türkiye, their collaboration could make the sector more sustainable both economically and environmentally.



Türkiye’s Role and Emerging Strength in the Sector
As the largest aquaculture producer in the Mediterranean, Türkiye has achieved significant export success in recent years. Izmir Commodity Exchange Chairperson Işınsu Kestelli noted that Türkiye’s natural resources and geographical advantages, when combined with Norway’s advanced technologies, would create significant opportunities for the sector.

       
The forum featured three key panels on Norway-Türkiye relations, sustainability in fish farming, and technological advancements in aquaculture. These discussions delved into the current state of the industry, future potential, and steps necessary for sustainable growth. Experts and speakers provided participants with deep insights into cutting-edge innovations and best practices.

As part of the forum, three separate panels were organized under significant and current topics such as Norway-Turkey relations, sustainability in fish farms, and technological developments in aquaculture. These panels addressed the current state of the industry, its future development potential, and the necessary steps for sustainable progress. Expert guests and speakers provided participants with in-depth insights into these critical issues, offering valuable perspectives on the latest innovations and best practices in the sector.



In the first panel, moderated by Dr. Ertuğrul Gündoğdu, CEO of OctoAqua, and featuring Ms. Olga Larsen, General Manager of the Norway East Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mr. Bedri Girit, Chairman of the Aegean Exporters' Association for Aquatic and Animal Products, discussions focused on supporting commercial and technological cooperation between the two countries. The panelists emphasized that the collaboration between Turkey and Norway would bring not only economic benefits but also significant contributions to environmental sustainability.

The panel on sustainability in fish farms, moderated by Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Suzer, featured Mr. İhsan Bozan, Chairman of the Board of the Muğla Aquaculture Association, who shared his experiences on the industry's progress over time.



He highlighted the importance of green energy and zero-emission targets for the future of the aquaculture industry. Dr. Erçin Güdücü, speaking at the same panel, provided insights into Turkey's Agricultural Technology Centers and the İzmir Agricultural Technology Center's initiatives, while Dr. Emel Özcan Gökçek, a faculty member at Ege University’s Aquaculture Department, presented research on fish genetics.

The Innovation and Technology forum, moderated by Hilal Tolasa Gündoğdu, COO of OctoAqua, aimed to enhance the applicability of sustainable aquaculture technologies in Turkey and to disseminate technical knowledge in this field. Mr. Jens Gejl Jensen, International Sales Director of Pure Salmon Technology, highlighted the importance of closed-circuit systems, which are replacing traditional open-sea fishing methods, for efficient water resource use and reducing environmental impacts.



Mr. Trond Karlsen, Sales Director of ScaleAQ, and Mr. Havard Worren, Sales Manager of Optimar, presented advanced technological solutions for aquaculture in the Black Sea. They shared the successes of systems implemented in Norway, emphasizing that Turkey's steps in this area would boost production and improve environmental standards. Discussions revolved around submerged cage applications, advanced harvesting techniques, sensor-based technologies, and artificial intelligence applications, which optimize production processes and ensure efficient resource use. Hilal Tolasa Gündoğdu expressed her belief that by combining the knowledge and technological capabilities of the two countries, exemplary global projects could be developed. She underlined that this vision marks a significant step toward producing innovative and sustainable solutions in the industry.

The forum also provided opportunities for B2B meetings, paving the way for sectoral collaborations and enabling initiatives that will lay the foundation for innovative projects
tise and knowledge of both countries could lead to globally exemplary projects.



Long-Term Collaboration Potential
The Aqua Culture Contact Forum underscored that Türkiye could develop a long-term partnership with Norway to achieve both economic and environmental sustainability in aquaculture. Sector leaders highlighted that this collaboration could serve as a model for global food security.



The strong partnership established between Norway and Türkiye in aquaculture represents not only economic gains but also significant steps toward environmental sustainability. The forum, spearheaded by OctoAqua, marked a milestone in global aquaculture by aligning the goals of the two nations. With Türkiye’s robust production capacity and Norway’s advanced technologies, the foundation for a globally exemplary collaboration model was laid.

This forum is not only a testament to the potential of the Norway-Türkiye partnership but also an indicator of greater advancements in this field in the future.