In the spotlight

Håvard Bakke – Salmobreed
Business Development Manager - Salmobreed &
representative of the aquaculture industry in the operational board of FISHBOOST
What is your contribution to the FISHBOOST project?
I was asked to be on the operational board of FISHBOOST as representative for the aquaculture industry. I had little experience with EU projects before this, so it has been very interesting to follow this type of research closely.
I feel that I have both an administrative and a “corrective” role in the project. Let me explain: As a board member I feel that it is important to follow the progress of the project, that deadlines are kept and so on. As an industry representative I also want to make sure that the research is relevant for the industry, and aims to answer crucial challenges for the industry. I also have a small scientific role connected to some of the WPs, but other, more competent people, to most of the research.
What fascinates you in this project?
The research work in FISHBOOST has been impressive. A lot of good and relevant science has been done, and more will come. I try to follow the scientific work, read the reports and so on. I specially enjoy the scientific discussions we have at the board meetings. The results are relevant on several levels: Some of the work is ground breaking and will have general impact, as a base for more applied research. Some of the work goes directly towards solving important issue for the industry. Examples are the disease resistance experiments in several species resulting in genetic parameters and possibilities for phenotypic and genomic selection.
The results mentioned above will be directly useful for stakeholders. I could also mention the development of computer programs useful for companies who want to start breeding programs, and so on. A lot of the results will, of course, come towards the final stage of the project.
Business Development Manager - Salmobreed &
representative of the aquaculture industry in the operational board of FISHBOOST
What is your contribution to the FISHBOOST project?
I was asked to be on the operational board of FISHBOOST as representative for the aquaculture industry. I had little experience with EU projects before this, so it has been very interesting to follow this type of research closely.
I feel that I have both an administrative and a “corrective” role in the project. Let me explain: As a board member I feel that it is important to follow the progress of the project, that deadlines are kept and so on. As an industry representative I also want to make sure that the research is relevant for the industry, and aims to answer crucial challenges for the industry. I also have a small scientific role connected to some of the WPs, but other, more competent people, to most of the research.
What fascinates you in this project?
The research work in FISHBOOST has been impressive. A lot of good and relevant science has been done, and more will come. I try to follow the scientific work, read the reports and so on. I specially enjoy the scientific discussions we have at the board meetings. The results are relevant on several levels: Some of the work is ground breaking and will have general impact, as a base for more applied research. Some of the work goes directly towards solving important issue for the industry. Examples are the disease resistance experiments in several species resulting in genetic parameters and possibilities for phenotypic and genomic selection.
The results mentioned above will be directly useful for stakeholders. I could also mention the development of computer programs useful for companies who want to start breeding programs, and so on. A lot of the results will, of course, come towards the final stage of the project.