Projects

The project focuses on enhancing the nutritional quality, food safety, and functional characteristics of cultivated macroalgae. Using sustainable processing technologies — including fermentation — ForSea will develop new ingredients and food products from both whole crops and residual biomass, ensuring maximum resource utilisation.

The project will also develop and characterise innovative food prototypes, which will undergo sensory evaluation and health‑effect assessments. These include prebiotic analyses and a clinical study of a particularly promising product. Environmental and economic considerations are integrated throughout the entire process chain to support sustainable value creation.

Coexistence in marine areas involves using the same ocean space for several purposes — including fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, and energy production — while safeguarding the environment and the interests of different user groups. As activity in coastal areas increases, so does the pressure on marine ecosystems, highlighting the need for knowledge that supports sustainable multi‑use.

SUMUSANO (Sustainable Multi‑use of Ocean Areas in South Africa and Norway) examines how aquaculture and the harvesting of low‑trophic marine resources can be integrated into shared marine spaces. The project focuses on two case areas: Saldanha Bay in South Africa and fjords in Møre og Romsdal, Norway. In Norway, the project studies sustainable fishing of red sea cucumber and great scallop using new technologies, while in South Africa, it explores opportunities for expanding mussel farming.

The research is interdisciplinary, assessing biological, ecological, and socio‑economic impacts — including effects on local communities and quality of life. Building on long‑standing marine cooperation between Norway and South Africa, the project brings together research institutions and industry partners from both countries.

The goal is to generate knowledge that supports sustainable, responsible, and lasting multi‑use of marine areas.

FISH 4.0 is an initiative designed to advance knowledge and strengthen research capacity to stimulate value creation in the marine and maritime sectors. The project focuses on the deep‑sea fishing fleet in Møre og Romsdal, a region where both national and international expectations for growth and sustainability are high. Meeting these demands requires new insight and interdisciplinary collaboration to develop automated systems capable of handling large volumes of raw materials while ensuring consistent product quality.

The project is led by Møreforsking in collaboration with NTNU and Møre og Romsdal county municipality, together with major industry partners such as Lerøy Havfisk, Nordic Wildfish, Optimar, and others. For the first time, all three business clusters in the region are participating in a single project, representing more than 200 member companies.

FISH 4.0 prioritises interdisciplinary meeting arenas, student projects, and research training. It has already established PhD fellowships and initiated several spin‑off projects. Through close cooperation between industry and research, the initiative aims to contribute to a more sustainable, innovative, and competitive marine sector.

Bakgrunnen er at lineflåten står overfor høye og ustabile agnpriser, samtidig som tilgjengeligheten på naturlig agn er begrenset. Målet er å optimalisere og teste formulerte agn basert på vegetabilske matrikser og marint restråstoff, slik at fangsteffektiviteten blir like god som for tradisjonelt agn.

Prosjektet omfatter arbeid med luktfrislipp, tekstur, produksjonsprosesser, tankforsøk og uttesting om bord i autolinefartøy. Et vellykket produkt kan redusere agnkostnadene betydelig, styrke lønnsomheten i flåten og redusere avhengigheten av importert agn.

Prosjektet er finansiert gjennom FHFs Prosjekt i Bedrift-ordning.

Kelp cultivation is a growing industry in Northern Norway, with promising applications including plant biostimulants. The global market for natural biostimulants is expanding rapidly, creating strong opportunities for kelp‑based products. At the same time, challenges remain in post‑harvest processing and market development before this potential can be fully realised.

KelpStim brings together key partners from industry and research: Kelpinor (producer of kelp‑based biostimulants), Grønt fra Nord (vegetable producer), and Møreforsking (expertise in kelp processing and bioactivity). The project tests biostimulants made from kelp biomass preserved using low‑energy methods such as acid conservation, with the aim of promoting plant growth and improving tolerance to abiotic stress. In parallel, the project maps bioactive compounds in kelp and examines how these relate to biostimulant effects, enabling optimisation of processing methods.

Expected results include a production protocol for biostimulants derived from acid‑preserved kelp with enhanced properties, as well as new insights into chemical changes in kelp biomass that influence bioactivity. Together, this knowledge will support the development of sustainable new products for agriculture and strengthen value creation in the blue bioeconomy.

The Norwegian ocean‑going fleet generates large amounts of cod residual raw material every year, but today less than half of it is utilised. Limited onboard space and the low economic value of these materials make it difficult to process more at sea. This project explores an alternative approach: bringing a greater share of the raw material ashore for further processing.

Focusing on cod heads as a starting point, the project combines enzymatic hydrolysis, value creation and bioprospecting to increase the utilisation of this underused resource. It investigates raw‑material quality and onboard handling, while developing methods to identify bioactive compounds and extract high‑quality collagen from bones.

The goal is to lay the foundation for new high‑value products and promote more sustainable and efficient use of marine resources.

Marine invertebrates are an important source of unique bioactive compounds with high value for medicine, biotechnology and other advanced applications. Traditionally, these substances have been harvested from wild organisms, which creates challenges related to sustainability, supply stability and environmental impact.

BLUES aims to change this by developing innovative culture systems for cell lines from four groups of marine animals: sponges (Porifera), cnidarians, echinoderms (Echinodermata) and chordates (Chordata). The project builds on a recent breakthrough in which researchers succeeded in establishing the first continuous cell line from a marine sponge—a milestone that enables rapid cell division and opens the door to industrial‑scale bioprocessing of marine natural products.

By optimising production yields and developing new bioprocess pathways, BLUES will pave the way for environmentally friendly and circular processes that can replace wild harvesting and secure a stable supply of high‑value bioactive compounds.

The technologies developed through BLUES will help strengthen the blue bioeconomy by making it possible to produce valuable marine natural products sustainably and at scale.

Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) is one of the most valuable shellfish resources in the Northeast Atlantic, and landings along the Norwegian coast have risen sharply in recent years. Despite this, we still know relatively little about how the species lives, grows, and reproduces in Norwegian fjords and coastal areas. Limited biological knowledge, combined with increasing fishing pressure, has created a need for better documentation to support responsible management.

The project seeks to fill key knowledge gaps by studying reproduction, sexual maturation, and growth of Norway lobster in Norwegian waters. Through fieldwork and laboratory studies, it will characterise the annual reproductive cycle, including the timing of ovarian development, egg laying, brooding, and hatching. The project will also determine the size at sexual maturity and investigate whether this varies between regions. In addition, improved estimates of growth and moulting frequency will be developed using laboratory experiments and mark‑recapture studies.

The results will provide a stronger scientific basis for evaluating minimum size limits and other regulatory measures, contributing to more knowledge‑based and sustainable management of Norway lobster in Norway.

Climate change poses a major threat to biodiversity in the Arctic and Sub‑Arctic regions. RESOLVE investigates how nature‑based solutions (NBS) — such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Other Effective Area‑based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) — can help mitigate these impacts. The project examines how NBS influence biodiversity, human health and wellbeing, and how such measures can support transformative approaches to marine stewardship.

The researchers analyse conflicts between protected areas and human activities, such as fisheries, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of current management practices. Through close collaboration with stakeholders and decision‑makers, the project seeks to identify solutions that enhance ecosystem services and improve quality of life.

RESOLVE conducts case studies in the Barents Sea, Iceland, and East and West Greenland. By comparing biodiversity, human activity, and governance frameworks across these regions, the project will develop best practices for implementing nature‑based solutions. Its overarching aim is to create an interdisciplinary framework that integrates biological, social, and political perspectives to support a more sustainable future.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic condition that often develops early in life and requires long‑term treatment. Research shows that diet and fatty acid composition can influence disease progression, and marine omega‑3 fatty acids are well known for their anti‑inflammatory properties.

Whale oil differs from other marine oils by its high content of the fatty acid DPA, which plays an important role in regulating the body’s omega‑3 balance. Previous studies suggest that whale oil may have a stronger anti‑inflammatory effect than traditional fish oil. In this project, Møreforsking, in collaboration with Myklebust Hvalprodukter, will examine the effects of whale oil on human intestinal cell lines to assess whether the oil can protect against inflammation and potentially enhance the effects of existing IBD medications.

The project will also evaluate how production and storage conditions influence the quality and biological activity of the oil. The aim is to develop solid scientific documentation to support new, sustainable health products based on marine raw materials.

Pink salmon is an alien species that has rapidly increased in numbers along the Norwegian coast, posing a threat to native salmon populations in Norwegian rivers. At the same time, it is a valued food fish and an important commercial resource in North America and Russia. This project aims to help shift pink salmon in Norway from being an environmental challenge to becoming a valuable and sustainable resource.

In close collaboration with industry partners and local fishers, Møreforsking investigates how raw material from pink salmon caught at sea and in rivers can be processed into safe, profitable, and sustainable products. A key focus is assessing the quality of oil and protein-rich hydrolysates, with the overall ambition that the seafood industry will be able to utilise the whole fish to produce high-quality ingredients for human consumption.

By increasing knowledge of the raw material’s properties and potential, the project will support improved resource utilisation, greater value creation in coastal communities, and reduced environmental impact in rivers where pink salmon is established.

Intestinal disorders are currently the leading cause of mortality in cod during the sea phase and pose a major challenge for both welfare and profitability. Intestinal hernia and gut inflammation are particularly common in larger fish during the grow‑out stage, yet their underlying causes remain poorly documented. Observations indicate that farmed cod may have longer and thinner intestines than wild cod, potentially making them more susceptible to such conditions.

The project seeks to deepen our understanding of cod gut health and how feed composition influences the risk of intestinal problems. Special attention is given to the balance of fat and protein in the diet, the types of lipids used, and the role of functional feed ingredients. Møreforsking will establish a cod‑specific intestinal cell line to study intestinal barrier and immune functions and to test how different feed ingredients affect gut health at the cellular level.

The overarching aim is to build a solid knowledge base for developing feeds tailored specifically to farmed cod — feeds that can improve gut health, reduce mortality, and strengthen the long‑term sustainability of the industry.

Great scallop (Pecten maximus) is a highly valued seafood species with strong market demand. Traditional scallop dredge fisheries were closed in Norway in the 1990s, and commercial harvesting today is carried out mainly by divers. This project investigates whether light‑based behavioural manipulation can enable an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to dive‑based harvesting.

The project builds on new technology developed by Fishtek Marine, where specialised light sources and attractor systems make use of scallops’ sensitivity to light and their nocturnal activity patterns. The goal is to optimise pot design, light colour, and soak time to achieve consistent catch rates under Norwegian environmental conditions.

If successful, the technology could enable increased—and more area‑efficient—harvesting, create new income opportunities for fishers, and strengthen value creation in coastal communities, particularly in the Northwest.

Traditional methods for assessing fish quality are often time‑consuming, destructive, and based on limited spot sampling. In contrast, non‑destructive technologies using advanced sensors enable rapid quality measurements without damaging the product. When integrated into the Norwegian ocean‑going fleet, such solutions can improve quality‑based sorting, increase raw material utilisation, and streamline production processes.

The project focuses on spectroscopic techniques, including hyperspectral imaging, to measure key quality attributes such as texture and bruising in fresh cod fillets. It also examines seasonal variations linked to the spawning cycle of Northeast Arctic cod. The overall goal is to develop knowledge and methods that support more consistent quality, higher value creation, and more precise quality management in seafood production.

Deep‑sea shrimp (Pandalus borealis) is the most important shellfish resource in the North Atlantic and one of Norway’s most valuable crustacean species. Today, shrimp are primarily harvested using bottom trawls, a method associated with high CO₂ emissions and considerable seabed impact. Pot fishing is gentler, allows for better size selection, and can yield higher prices for premium-quality shrimp — yet it is currently little used in offshore areas.

Building on experience with fjord pots, the project will develop a robust pot specifically adapted to deep‑sea conditions. The gear must withstand strong currents and variable bottom topography while ensuring high catch efficiency and excellent raw material quality. Development efforts will focus on optimal material choices, stability, and pot design to minimise environmental impact and improve profitability.

The overarching aim is to establish a sustainable and environmentally efficient fishing method that offers the ocean-going fleet a new product with a lower climate footprint and high value creation potential.

Stricter requirements to reduce environmental footprint, CO₂ emissions, and the use of EPS (Styrofoam) mean that Norwegian salmon producers need new solutions for processing, transport, and distribution. Using the new IceFresh thawing method, Hofseth aims to offer the U.S. market a sustainable product based on frozen salmon fillets with quality equal to or better than fresh fillets.

The innovation is expected to deliver several benefits, including reduced environmental impact, more consistent product quality, longer shelf life, and lower food waste in retail stores.

Insect production has significant potential as a protein source in feed, but within the EU the choice of feed substrates is strictly regulated. Many available bioresources—such as food waste and animal by‑products—cannot be used, and competition for grain‑ and plant‑based substrates is high. This creates a clear need for alternative and sustainable feed sources for insect farming.

Algae2Insect investigates whether restreams from cultivated macroalgae can serve as a suitable dietary supplement for mealworms. The project conducts feeding trials using algae pulp from sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) and dulse (Palmaria palmata) as additives in larval feed. The study evaluates both potential benefits—including nutritional value and fatty‑acid composition—and possible risk factors related to the transfer of undesirable substances.

The goal is to fill an important knowledge gap and contribute to more circular, resource‑efficient and sustainable value chains for both algae cultivation and insect production.

ARKELP aims to enable more predictable and efficient production of sugar kelp in Troms and Finnmark by developing cultivation methods and production protocols tailored to the region’s climate and environmental conditions. Although Northern Norway offers excellent natural conditions for kelp cultivation, the industry remains underdeveloped in this area.

The project will generate new knowledge on seedling production, genetic adaptation and best practices for growing sugar kelp under subarctic conditions. Laboratory experiments are combined with field validation at sea to improve understanding of the species’ life cycle, temperature tolerance and local ecotypes.

At the same time, the project places strong emphasis on outreach and knowledge transfer to increase competence, acceptance and interest in kelp cultivation among industry actors, local communities and management authorities.

The overall goal is to help establish sugar kelp cultivation as a new and sustainable marine industry—and a key contributor to the green transition in Northern Norway.

Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) has become an important fishery in the Barents Sea, with a quota nearing 10,000 tonnes in 2024. While most of the catch is currently exported as boiled and frozen products, the market for live snow crab is expanding rapidly and offers considerably higher prices. To capitalize on this opportunity, the value chain must be adapted to the species’ physiological needs and ensure high standards of animal welfare.

The project brings together exporters, industry partners, fishers, and research institutions to develop solutions that make reliable transport and storage of live snow crab possible. The challenges are substantial: snow crab is more sensitive than king crab, reacts poorly to rough handling, and has a very narrow temperature tolerance (1–2 °C). This necessitates carefully designed technology, handling procedures, and transport protocols to reduce injury and mortality.

Researchers will test different transport methods — from dry transport to water‑based systems — and examine how pre‑treatments such as cooling can extend survival time and widen the transport window. The goal is to establish best practices for live snow crab handling, from capture to market, and to lay the foundation for a profitable, sustainable, and animal‑welfare‑oriented value chain.

Atopic eczema is a widespread skin condition caused by defects in the skin barrier, leading to dryness, wounds and infections. The disease significantly affects quality of life, and current treatment relies largely on cortisone-based preparations, which can have undesirable side effects such as thinning of the skin. There is therefore a need for new and gentler treatment options.

Lipids play a crucial role in both the skin’s barrier function and its signalling processes. In atopic eczema, lipid composition is altered, contributing to inflammation and a weakened barrier. Oil rich in ketolinic acid has shown anti‑inflammatory effects in other tissues and may increase levels of the omega‑3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which also have anti‑inflammatory properties.

This project will investigate whether ketolinic‑acid‑rich oil can improve skin quality and reduce eczema severity in people with atopic eczema and dry skin. The findings may provide the basis for a new, gentler treatment approach that reduces the need for cortisone.

This represents an ethical concern, leads to substantial financial losses and negatively impacts both the reputation and sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Current knowledge is not sufficient to address the health and welfare challenges in farmed salmon that must be resolved for the industry to grow responsibly. Robust decision‑support tools are essential for assessing fish health and welfare on a sound scientific basis and for ensuring high‑quality strategies and management decisions.

The project will develop new diagnostic tools based on molecular assays, ultrasound technology and camera‑based behavioural monitoring. Together, these technologies will provide more accurate health assessments and enable targeted, effective measures to reduce mortality risks associated with handling operations.

Algal biomass is a vast resource that captures CO₂ and is produced in large quantities worldwide, yet much of it still ends up as industrial waste. CIRCALGAE, an EU‑funded project, is developing a pioneering system to utilise these residual streams through integrated biorefining. Using simple, water‑based technologies, the project aims to create new ingredients from both macro‑ and microalgae for use in food, feed and cosmetics.

CIRCALGAE will demonstrate three industrial‑scale blue biorefineries and develop 12 demonstration products, two of which will be ready for market entry. These products include textured plant‑based foods, protein‑rich feed ingredients and bioactive components for cosmetic applications.

Through collaboration with industry, research institutions and consumers, the project will validate health benefits, ensure regulatory compliance and minimise environmental impact.

The overarching goal is to strengthen the blue bioeconomy by making algae a key resource in the sustainable value chains of the future.

Can European dietary habits be healthier and more sustainable? The EU-funded LIKE-A-PRO project will answer this question, and more.

It will explore the production of new food products from alternative protein sources such as rapeseed, mealworms, krill, microbes, mushrooms, fermented fungi and peas. It will also investigate the consumers’ needs and ways to meet them with new products. The project will carry out activities to understand the eating habits of Europeans in order to find ways to adapt the products they like to consume. The middle food system actors will also be engaged to make alternative products an easy and economically viable choice.

The project’s overall aim is to mainstream alternative proteins, making them accessible, available and widely acceptable.

SeaWheat (COST Action CA20106) brings together researchers and industry partners from 28 countries to strengthen the knowledge base and develop technologies that can position Ulva as a key raw material in European marine biomass production. Ulva contains high levels of proteins, carbohydrates, pigments and bioactive compounds, and can be cultivated both on land and at sea with yields far exceeding those of conventional agricultural crops. At the same time, the algae function as an efficient ecological biofilter, reducing environmental impacts from aquaculture and helping to counteract eutrophication in coastal areas.

Through interdisciplinary research spanning biology, ecology, aquaculture, engineering, economics and the social sciences, the project aims to support the growth of the blue bioeconomy, open new business opportunities and promote the sustainable utilisation of marine resources in line with European and global sustainability goals.

Pink salmon has increased sharply in Norwegian coastal and river systems in recent years and is considered a significant threat to native salmonids and local ecosystems. At the same time, no established fishery currently exists to handle large marine influxes of the species. The SalmoSeine project is therefore testing purse seining as a capture method, drawing on experiences from North America where similar gear is used effectively for pink salmon. The aim is to develop a method that provides reliable control of bycatch, functions well close to shore and in shallow waters, and can form the basis for a sustainable and profitable pink salmon fishery.

The pilot fishery is being carried out in close collaboration between gear manufacturers, fishers, receiving facilities, and researchers. The work is closely linked to ongoing projects mapping migration patterns and behaviour of pink salmon. The project will generate new knowledge on catch efficiency, safety, handling, and selectivity, and will contribute to the scientific foundation needed for potential future management of a targeted marine fishery for pink salmon.

Marine low‑trophic species such as kelp and filter‑feeding animals are important resources for future food, feed, and energy production. Because they occupy a low level in the food chain, they can be farmed with a much lower environmental footprint than traditional fish aquaculture. TuniKelp explores integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), where kelp and tunicates are grown together in a balanced system that takes advantage of nutrient and oxygen exchange between the species.

Co‑cultivation has the potential to reduce production costs, increase area efficiency, and provide environmental benefits. The project will assess the feasibility of cultivating kelp at Ramsvikneset alongside existing tunicate production, identifying challenges, opportunities, and best practices. If successful, this approach could open for aquaculture in areas previously considered unsuitable and support a green, circular economy in line with regional sustainability goals.

The red sea cucumber (Parastichopus tremulus) is an echinoderm found along the entire Norwegian coast, but its biology, life history, and population dynamics remain poorly understood. To address this, biological material has been collected from several geographic areas in Vestland, Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag. In addition to gathering morphological data, tissue samples, and assessing maturation stages, the project has developed a sampling method that enables the extraction of high‑quality DNA from the species.

Genetic tools are valuable for studying demographic relationships and population structure. Development of microsatellite markers is currently underway, using markers derived from the species’ genome — sequenced at Møreforsking. These markers will support analyses of genetic diversity, connectivity, and population subdivision, forming a foundation for future management and potential utilisation of the red sea cucumber as a marine resource.

Both commercial harvesting and monitoring of great scallops are currently carried out using scuba divers. However, stricter regulations on deep‑sea work diving have led operators engaged in long‑term scallop harvesting to explore remotely operated underwater technology that offers both effective capture and minimal environmental impact.

This project examined whether a newly developed ROV could supplement diver‑based methods in mapping and monitoring by collecting representative samples for assessing recruitment, age and growth. Such data are essential for developing population models and estimating harvestable biomass.

Cod farmers are required to monitor sexual maturation in fish entering their second winter/spring at sea. Currently, this is done by culling 20 fish from each cage every two weeks to assess maturation status. To reduce labour demands, economic losses, and animal welfare impacts — and to streamline the monitoring process — the project aims to investigate whether different categories of dead fish can serve as indicators or supplementary tools for monitoring sexual maturation.

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The cultivation of kelp biomass is increasingly recognized as climate-resilient with the potential to mitigate climate change and to support coastal biodiversity, and is an emerging sector of the blue bioeconomy in the Nordic region. Hence, kelp cultivation has a large potential to provide future-oriented solutions for sustainable food production from the oceans. The project consortium, consisting of leading industrial stakeholders and research groups with internationally recognized expertise within the fields of food science, food risk assessment, sensory and consumer science and kelp production systems will i) communicate the potential of kelp as an ingredient in food applications, ii) provide guidelines for optimal post-harvest methods of kelp to food applications based on state-of-the-art knowledge, iii) provide recommendations for further R&D work within the production of kelp and macroalgae to food applications and iv) strengthen the Nordic cooperation across the food sector, macroalgae production and relevant research institutions.

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The global aquaculture sector continues to grow to meet the food demands of an expanding population, yet current feed production depends on limited and often unsustainable raw materials. At the same time, nutrient-rich emissions from aquaculture represent both an underused resource and an increasing environmental concern. SAFER‑IMTA brings together expertise from Norway (Møreforsking) and China (Institute of Hydrobiology and Shenzhen University) to demonstrate how integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) can maximise resource utilisation while reducing environmental footprints.

The project develops advanced land‑based systems for the co‑cultivation of low‑trophic species — including microalgae, macroalgae, and sea cucumbers — using particulate and dissolved effluents from carp and salmon farming. By combining biological processes with physical and chemical treatment methods, the project aims to convert waste streams into valuable substrates. The resulting products are evaluated for food and feed applications, with focus on safety, nutritional value, and the presence of undesirable substances.

Life‑cycle assessments provide insight into environmental performance, while stakeholder dialogue and regulatory reviews help identify barriers and drivers for IMTA development. The project’s overall ambition is to support technological innovation and contribute to sustainable, circular value chains within the aquaculture industry.

Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) poses a significant threat to native salmonids and river ecosystems in Norway. Establishing a regulated sea‑based fishery may be an effective measure to reduce the number of spawning individuals, while at the same time providing new income opportunities for coastal fishers. To achieve this, new knowledge is needed on capture methods, handling routines, and logistics.

The project brings together researchers, management authorities, and industry stakeholders to test relevant gear types such as purse seines and trap nets, drawing on experience from Alaska and Canada. Experimental fishing will generate data on efficiency, capacity, selectivity, fish welfare, and product quality. The work will also contribute to the development of protocols for catch handling and data collection in line with the guidelines of the Norwegian Environment Agency.

The goal is to build a solid knowledge base that can enable the future regulation of a targeted marine fishery for pink salmon — benefiting both the environment and the fishing industry.

Coral reefs, coral forests, and sponge grounds are important yet sensitive habitats along the Norwegian coast, and they often occur in areas also used for aquaculture. Currently, knowledge about how emissions from fish farms impact these species is limited, creating uncertainty for environmental management and for industry development. VDWS Transition will document effects and tolerance thresholds in selected coral and sponge species, and develop practical tools for assessing health status in the field.

The project combines field collection of biological material from multiple regions with laboratory studies to map physiological and cellular responses to stressors. It will also further develop new monitoring tools, including ROV‑based sampling techniques and visual assessment methods.

The results will provide authorities with a stronger basis for decision‑making, increase predictability for the aquaculture industry, and support more sustainable use of the coastal zone.

Kelp has the potential to become an important resource in future food production, but high iodine levels and limited knowledge about processing have been major barriers to its use. SusKelpFood brings together Nordic research communities, established kelp producers, and the food industry to address these challenges and build the foundation for a sustainable kelp sector.

The project has tested innovative processing techniques such as pulsed electric fields (PEF), ultrasound, and gentle seawater treatments to reduce iodine content without compromising taste or nutritional value. Preservation methods — including fermentation and mild acid preservation — have also been evaluated to ensure food safety and efficient storage. Consumer surveys provide insight into attitudes toward kelp as food and highlight the need for tailored communication and marketing strategies.

By generating new knowledge on processing, food safety, and sustainability, SusKelpFood supports the development of a profitable and responsible kelp industry that can contribute to improved public health, reduced climate impact, and increased food security.

Its goal is to strengthen innovation within the saltfish and clipfish sector by bringing together 16 Nordic partners to work on joint process and product development. Through systematic knowledge exchange, partners will learn from each other and build competencies that increase the likelihood of success in their respective markets. The work will result in new or enhanced ready‑to‑eat products and recipes based on traditional salted cod and clipfish.

Three international workshops will act as arenas for academic exchange, networking, and collaboration across the Nordic region. These activities will support increased innovation in an industry that is both economically important and rich in tradition.

HOLOSUSTAIN brings together research, industry, and management to drive innovation in the sustainable utilisation of North Atlantic sea cucumbers (species within the genus Holothuria). The project builds a shared knowledge platform, including a computer‑based overview of the chemical, nutritional, and bioactive potential of sea cucumbers. Through joint workshops and close collaboration between research and industry partners, the network will generate knowledge that can support the development of new products and value chains.

The work also focuses on collecting and structuring available information into digital tools that can support the development of food, supplements, health products, and future breeding efforts. The consortium consists of seven partners from Norway, Iceland, and Canada, representing both research institutions and industry. Together, they aim to strengthen the regional bioeconomy, promote sustainable resource utilisation, and create new business opportunities.

Dyphavsreke (Pandalus borealis) er en viktig kommersiell art i nordlige havområder, og globalt fangstes det rundt 250 000 tonn årlig, hovedsakelig med trål. Det finnes etablert teinefiske etter reker både i USA og Canada, og tidligere forsøk i Norge har vist at teiner kan fungere, men hittil ikke i kommersielt omfang. Et nylig forsøksfiske i Finnmark viste lovende fangster med modifiserte kanadiske teiner, men også tydelige begrensninger: dagens modell fungerer godt i strømsvake fjordområder, men mister stabilitet og effektivitet i sterkere strøm og mer eksponerte områder til havs.

Prosjektet skal videreutvikle denne prototypen slik at den fungerer robust under norske forhold. Det innebærer å forbedre teinens stabilitet i strøm, justere form og materialvalg, og utvikle bedre seleksjonsløsninger for å hindre fangst av undermålsreker. Samtidig skal agntilgangen i teinen optimaliseres for å sikre råstoff av høy kvalitet.

Arbeidet gjennomføres av Møreforsking i samarbeid med redskapsprodusenten Frøystad AS og erfarne fiskere. Målet er å løse tekniske utfordringer knyttet til stabilitet, strømforhold, seleksjon, skånsomhet og agnbruk, uten at fangsteffektiviteten svekkes. Når dette er på plass, kan prosjektet bidra til å etablere et lønnsomt, miljøvennlig og framtidsrettet teinefiske etter reker i norske farvann.