Norway’s ambassador calls for transparency in salmon farming

Grant Warkentin
July 6th, 2010
Campbell River Mirror

Don’t call her “your honour,” “your excellency” or “your worship.”

Just “ambassador” will do for Else Berit Eikeland, Norway’s representative in Canada, who was in Campbell River last week to get a look at the aquaculture industry.

New to the position ,  Eikeland said she came to B.C. to learn more about fish farming. She toured the operations of the three Canadian companies with Norwegian parents –  Marine Harvest, Mainstream Canada and Grieg Seafood.

“It is very interesting to me to see areas where there are major Norwegian investments,” she said.

Speaking with the media before a reception for industry representatives and politicians last Wednesday evening, the ambassador talked briefly about her background.

She grew up in a small coastal village to working-class parents. And she takes a working-class, common-sense approach to politics and the fish farming industry, which should stick to the facts, she said.

“Transparency, openness and research –  that’s really the key factors for the industry,” she said.

The industry is moving in the right direction, with more companies making sea lice sampling data available online for the public to see, she said. And companies need to spend time on research, too, she added, focusing on facts and avoiding emotional and opinion-fueled debate.

Read the full story in the Campbell River Mirror

Read related story:

• Oceanside Star; July 8th, 2010; "Norwegian Ambassador seeking science-based discussion of fish-farms - Island tour includes stop at Deep Bay research centre" 

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