Introduction
Knowledge is fundamental for developing smarter, greener, and more efficient solutions that foster societal trust and enhance the reputation of the aquaculture industry. Like many sectors, the seafood industry faces major challenges driven by climate change, environmental issues, resource constraints, and heightened demands for improved animal welfare, necessitating innovation and sustainable development. At the same time, Norwegian seafood companies anticipate employment growth and a substantial shift in skills needs toward 2030. Recent data from Møreforskning show that 60% of seafood companies report unmet competence needs, with half experiencing recruitment challenges. In addition to operational personnel, there is a growing demand for specialists including engineers, economists, biologists, lawyers, and data scientists.
Materials and methods
To address these challenges, the regional public-private partnership Bridgehead Aquaculture, has been established. The initiative aims to align workforce competencies with sector demands through cross-level and interdisciplinary education. A key element involves connecting university students with pupils at vocational schools in coastal communities, promoting mutual understanding, sharing experience, and inspiring future careers within the blue sector.
Innovative educational models have been implemented, such as a two-semester practical aquaculture course for bachelor’s and master’s engineering students. It allows them to manage a complete fish production cycle, from fertilized egg to smolt, gaining deep insight into production processes, health management, welfare considerations, and environmental interactions. Students from diverse engineering disciplines learn to contextualize their expertise within aquaculture systems, enhancing both technical understanding and ecological awareness.
Results
This cross-disciplinary approach is extended to PhD education, where candidates from technology, natural sciences, and humanities collaborate under NTNU’s strategic research area Ocean and Coast - Strategic research area. By integrating interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world exposure into aquaculture education at all levels, the initiative enhances educational relevance, fosters targeted recruitment, and drives science-based innovation. This model contributes to preparing the next generation of specialists to address evolving sector challenges, supporting the sustainable growth of aquaculture aligned with societal values and environmental imperatives.