“The Ocean Industries are very important…”

Holding multiple degrees in applied mathematics and dynamic meteorology, Kvamstø has served as a professor of meteorology and department head for the Geophysics Department at the University of Bergen (UiB). He has also served as a research consultant and played a pivotal role at the Bjerknes Center for Climate Research.

Kvamstø spoke with Invest in Bergen about his new position at the Institute of Marine Research, Greater Bergen’s value as a hub for the ocean industries and the upcoming Havbyen Bergen project.

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Invest in Bergen: “You have had an illustrious career as a researcher and lecturer at the UiB’s Geophysical Institute. Do you believe your academic background provides you with a crucial perspective for this new role?”

Nils Gunnar Kvamstø: “Many things are different between the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, but one thing is common, and that is the requirement to maintain the highest scientific standards in everything we do. To achieve this, we must work together as a team, be open to cooperating with other actors and institutions and take part in the competition for research funding. Hopefully, my experience from UiB, both as a professor and leader in various positions, can help me to get the institute to move forward as a team and deliver research and advice of the highest quality and relevance.”
 

IIB: “As one of the biggest ocean research institutes in Europe, what part will the IMR play towards solving current global challenges as it moves forward in 2022?”

NGK: “The ocean and its resources are central to tackling many of the great challenges we face as a society. For example, fisheries and aquaculture can play a large role in contributing safe and healthy food to a growing world population, and an important task for us is to find out how we can use these resources in an efficient and sustainable way. Part of this is to find out how these sectors are impacted by climate change. We have several ongoing projects at the institute to tackle these challenges.”

Read more on seafood and aquaculture

IIB: “The IMR is among several organisations involved in the upcoming “HavByen Bergen” project. How will this project benefit the region and its value chain?”

NGK: “The ocean industries and marine research and management institutions are very important to Bergen as a whole. If we can find collaborative projects that help to strengthen the partners in HavByen Bergen in pursuit of our common goals, that will benefit Bergen and its surrounding region as well.”

IIB: “The majority of your career as a researcher has been based in Greater Bergen. Do you feel that the region has plenty to offer when it comes to ocean research and beyond?”

NGK: “Absolutely! In addition to the Institute of Marine Research, you have the University of Bergen, NORCE, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Centre and Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, which are all institutions that do marine-related research. The region is a Mecca for those interested in marine research.”

IIB: “Greater Bergen’s history is rooted in both fishing and shipping. How has this contributed to the IMR’s growth as a key research institute?”

NGK: “Bergen’s history and continuing relevance as a fishing and shipping town are what led the Norwegian government to place the Fisheries Directorate and what eventually became the IMR in Bergen back in the 1900s. Since then, the institute has no doubt benefited greatly from having good neighbours in Bergen’s marine cluster, both in the public and private sector.”

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IIB: “When it comes to the ocean industries (i.e. shipping, aquaculture and emissions-free maritime transport), Greater Bergen has comprehensive value chains involving numerous key public and private organisations, including the IMR. Does this contribute to collaboration and innovative research?”

NGK: “Yes, I believe that the research community can gain from collaborating with actors outside of academia to help find solutions to shared problems. We should not be an ivory tower but aim to lower the walls between ourselves and our surroundings.”

IIB: “Over the course of your career, you have contributed to establishing the Bergen Offshore Wind Centre (BOW). Will offshore wind be a key area of research for the IMR?”

NGK: “Offshore wind power is gaining momentum both in Norway and internationally as a climate-friendly means of generating energy. The IMR’s role in this development will be to study the effects of wind turbines on marine ecosystems and environments and give advice on how to avoid unintended negative consequences. This will be necessary to achieve popular legitimacy and peaceful coexistence among ocean industries.”

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