Fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, energy all operate in the same ecosystem. MareLife operates in the bio-marine sectors but recently started exploring synergy with the maritime and energy sectors to harvest new innovation potentials.

A cross-sector approach can result in considerable cost-savings (e.g. collaborative research to find science-based solutions to shared issues), new dynamics in technology development and reduce the risk of costly, unplanned and unnecessary restrictions to operations in the marine environment.

Bio-marine sectors

Marine products originating both from living and fossile resources form the backbone of Norway's export revenues. Our most important future businesses are based on our living ocean resources either through fisheries, aquaculture, industrial ingredients or utilizing marine biological active compounds to a number of new purposes: medicine, new materials and biomedical research. Maintaining the marine industries’ vital position is necessary for securing Norway's future. Fortunately the harvest potential of the Norwegian seas is high.

Realizing cross-fertilizing industries is expected to challenge and strengthen both business and research heavily since marine industries have always operated exclusively. The first and perhaps biggest challenge is to reconcile the industries in an effective marine consortium of expertise, technology and scientific understanding: Long term visions and experience combined with both general and local knowledge. We would like to see our two flagship industries to develop in harmony and cooperation that is based on the ultimate overall competence. Our world-leading fisheries and petroleum industries must therefore collaborate with Norway’s top level marine research.

Integrating maritime and new energy sectors

Ensuring that energy requirements are met without damage to important ocean ecosystems is the near future challenge which needs integrated ocean strategies and partnerships. Wind, wave and tidal energy have recently been added to marine resources. This makes it vital for the energy sector to engage on ocean sustainability issues with the other sectors of the ocean business community such as shipping, fisheries aquaculture and tourism.

Much effort is currently put in optimizing fishing vessels to lower operational costs and decrease fuel consumption. Being the scouts of the oceans, the cargo industry should fully exploit their position and integrate cargo activities fisheries and energy opportunities.

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