Norway seeks seafood minister to replace Nesvik

NORWAY looks set to get a new seafood and fisheries minister within the next 48 hours.

The present incumbent, Harald Tom Nesvik said earlier this week he would step down, after his Progressive Party quit the Conservative led coalition government.

The row centred on a decision by prime minister Erna Solberg to allow an ISIS terrorist supporting mother back into the country.

Nesvik took over the job 18 months ago after fellow Progressive Party member Per Sandberg resigned over his relationship with an Iranian beauty queen.

A popular minister, Nesvik has been a big supporter of both aquaculture and fishing and came out against plans to impose a flat rate profits tax on fish farming companies.

But he also insisted aquaculture had to clean up its act in certain areas, particularly in relation to the rising number of fish escapes.

And he was about to launch a new traffic light scheme outlining where future fish farm growth should take place. He said last night that he expected his successor to continue with that policy.

A native of the city of Ålesund, Nesvik was head of public affairs and government relations in Sølvtrans, the world\’s largest salmon and trout well boat company.

Nesvik was due to make a major speech on Norway’s future trade relationship with Britain at the Norwegian Seafood Council UK summit in London yesterday, but did not attend.

His place was taken by a government diplomat, who said the new minister would pick up those reins.

Nesvik said he now plans to return to private industry, possibly in an aquaculture or fishing related capacity.

Embattled prime minister Solberg is expected to announce his successor by the weekend.