Tor-eddie Fossbakk

Biography

 or-Eddie’s interest in aquaculture was born when he was hired by the Canadian Embassy in Oslo, Norway, to look after the fisheries and aquaculture portfolio in their commercial division. Born and raised in Harstad, Norway, about 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, Tor-Eddie was surrounded by fishing and related activities as he grew up. Known for its seafood harvesting and processing economy, this region has always been recognized as “fish country” and is now one of Norway’s primary fish farming areas. Upon completing his primary and secondary education in Harstad, university studies took him to Oslo and then to Bergen where he obtained a B.Sc. (PolSci), Major in Comparative Politics and Public Administration, in 1982. From Bergen he travelled to the United States, to Central Michigan University (CMU), from which he graduated with a Master in Public Administration (MPA) in 1983, and where he also met his wife, Kristi. He continued to take courses toward a MBA up until 1987 when he and his wife returned to Norway, settling in Oslo. Tor-Eddie’s aquaculture career started when he was hired as a Commercial Officer at the Canadian Embassy in Oslo in 1990. Part of his responsibilities included commercial fisheries and aquaculture relations between Canada and Norway, which required that he organize and coordinate a number of study tours to Norway for Canadian aquaculture industry representatives. To enable him to do a better job, Tor-Eddie developed strong relationships with all the major aquaculture research institutions in Norway, as well as with the associated government organizations at all levels. He developed extensive contacts with commercial companies in the seafood value chain both in Norway and Canada and was fortunate to travel extensively and thereby gain considerable knowledge of the Canadian aquaculture industry in the dominant producer provinces (British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland & Labrador). In his unique position, and perceiving the potential growth opportunities for aquaculture in Canada, Tor-Eddie initiated the Embassy’s participation and booth at Aqua Nor (1991, 93, 95 & 97). To this day the Canadian Embassy is a strong participant at Aqua Nor, the legacy of his efforts to raise the Canadian presence at this important international aquaculture event.

Research Interest

 Business