Thursday, November 26, 2015

26/11/2015: Event review: Aqua Nor 18-21.05.15 Trondheim, Norway

http://issuu.com/international_aquafeed/docs/iaf1505_w1/58
by Peter Parker, International Aquafeed Magazine  

First published in International Aquafeed, September-October 2015


Trondheim is a great location for hosting Aqua Nor, with an excellent harbour, it is situated where the river Nidelva meets the Trondheimsfjorden, Norway’s third longest fjord at 130km in length.
   
Locals suggested that Trondheim typically operates with a population of 120,000 in the city centre, this is then flooded with an extra 20,000 people for the week of Aqua Nor, a pressing but healthy figure which seems to be welcomed by the service people of the city.

With my colleagues Darren Parris and Tom Blacker, we visited the four-day exhibition to meet with friends, colleagues and clients.

International attraction
There were visitors representing 76 nations this time around, 20,848 people, a ten percent increase on Aqua Nor 2013. Those in attendance ranged from university students interested to learn what aquaculture was, through to foreign delegates under the leadership of government ministers and many in between.

Business people, fishermen, scientists, enthusiasts, journalists and entrepreneurs; there was something at Aqua Nor for all who attended. Whether this is to develop personal and business networks at all levels, to promote or purchase a product, to learn about Norwegian aquaculture, or to share about foreign aquaculture.

Arrival at Aqua Nor

The image when we arrived at the event on the first morning - Tuesday, August 18 - was that of formally suited people outside the foyer, huddled in groups. A large Aqua Nor logo above the three double doors, queues of people within.

On a black stage to the left of the entrance was a large block of ice, which would later be sculpted into a magnificent piece by chainsaw. To the left of the stage was a large marquee, where stood a decorated stage upon which the welcoming ceremony would soon begin.

Welcome ceremony – official opening of Aqua Nor 2015
People who had come from all over with different hopes for the event had occupied seats in the marquee; for example, to my left was the Director General of Fisheries Malaysia with whom I had a discussion about aquaculture production in Malaysia, and to my right was an aquaculture journalist from Scotland – an excellent environment for meeting new people with similar interests.

Liv Holmefjord, the chairwoman of Nor-Fishing Foundation, organiser of Aqua Nor and Norwegian Director of Fisheries was first on stage to welcome guests and direct the proceedings of the ceremony. After outlining what we had in store for the ceremony she welcomed to the stage two musicians. The two gentlemen occupied the stage, a pianist and a singer, they performed a beautiful and emotive song titled 'Bring him home.'

Ms Holmefjord returned to the stage to tell of the progress Aqua Nor has made over the years, stating that it first began in 1979, there were 18 stands, 23 exhibitors and around 100 visitors – the expansion since then has been vast, with more to come.    

Read the full review in International Aquafeed HERE.

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