Norway’s youngsters urged to eat more seafood

The Norwegian government has allocated an extra NOK 3.9 million (almost £300,000) to help combat a worrying decline in seafood consumption among the country’s young people.

Many Norwegian children and teenagers have simply stopped eating salmon and white fish, preferring less healthy options such as burgers instead.

Cost may also be a factor. A recent survey showed that salmon prices in Norway have risen sharply in recent months despite the country being the world’s largest producer.

Norway’s Fiskesprell the national dietary programme designed to increase seafood consumption, has already received considerable cash help and the NOK 3.9 million is on top of earlier amounts.

Much of the new focus will be in schools and kindergartens with the aim of steering very young children towards the health benefits of Norwegian seafood.

Fisheries and Oceans Minister Cecilie Myrseth said: “More children and young people must open their eyes to the good fish and seafood we have in Norway.

“To counteract the declining trend, we must ensure that seafood is easily available. We also know that the price of fish and seafood is a major barrier to increasing its use in schools and nurseries.”

The Minister added: “Fish and seafood is Norway’s second largest export product. At the same time, we have never eaten less fish at homed than we do today. The government is keen to reverse that trend because seafood is both sustainable and healthy.

Christian Chramer, chief executive of the Norwegian Seafood Council, added: “This is very gratifying, and contributes well to the good work Fiskesprell is doing to get more children to love seafood.”