New Division Director at Nofima

Mr Pedersen, who is educated as a Fisheries Economist, comes from the position of CEO of Northern Norways largest fisheries company, Nergrd AS, which he has held since 2007.

He has previously been employed as Assistant Director of the Norwegian Fishermens Sales Organisation and as an advisor at the Office of the County Governor in Troms. Pedersen has also served on a host of boards and committees during his career, and among other roles sits on the Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs committee to assess the legislation concerning the sale of fish.

With the appointment of Magnar Pedersen, Nofima has gained an incredibly experienced and knowledgeable division director, who has large networks in all forums involving Norwegian fisheries, says Nofima CEO yvind Fylling-Jensen.

In addition, he is extremely well known in our core areas along the entire coast, and he knows all about the challenges the industry faces and the role of research in this. Magnar Pedersen is known as a knowledgeable, competent and jovial manager who is good at achieving results through his colleagues. We are extremely satisfied to have got Magnar on board.

Nofima is an extremely important institution for the development of Norwegian food. My area of expertise is seafood, in which I have worked for many years, during which time I have been involved with several projects together with Nofima, says Magnar Pedersen.

The fishery sector will always play a central role in industry and communities along the entire coast and our job will be to help the industry to supply their customers with the best possible fish at the highest possible price to the pleasure of everyone who lives by this industry.

Nofima has 420 employees, an annual turnover of NOK 502 million and research activities in Troms, s, Bergen, Sunndalsra, Avery and Stavanger.

The main areas in the Division Fisheries, Industry and Market are process and product development of seafood, marine bioprospecting, economic analysis, perspective survey and foresight analysis, consumer research, market analysis and strategic management. The division also engages in work involving information logistics and traceability.

Magnar Pedersen takes up his new position on 1 January, 2013.