The purpose of the meetings was to discuss the possibilities of a further cooperation and common interests in the marine sector and the development of bio-economy and sustainable bioproduction.
Minister of Sea, Ana Paula Vitorino, led the delegation from Portugal. Dr. Arne Flåøyen, Deputy Director and Head of Department for Laboratory Services, presented NVIs mission, strategies and activities and the ongoing cooperation with Portugal within fish health.
-Norway and Portugal are two coastal nations with strong common interests in aquaculture, the minister said during the meeting with the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI).
Celeste Badaró represented the Brazilian embassy at the meeting with the NVI.
-It is important for us to receive guests from various countries. Having guests at ministerial level confirms that we are a very relevant institute. It also confirms our position and opens up for new opportunities for cooperation that is given priority, said Flåøyen.
Regarding Brazil, he said that it was important to examine the possibilities for strengthening the cooperation with the country. Brazil had a great potential to increase its aquaculture production and there was a demand for Norwegian expertise.
Guest researchers at the NVI
Two other Brazilians, Dr. Carlos Augusto Fernandes de Oliveira and Dr. Jader Nones who are both visiting researchers at NVI presented their research and discussed ideas for future collaboration. Oliveira works at the University of Sao Paulo and Nones works both at the Federal University of Santa Catarina and the Food Safety Authority in Santa Catarina (CIDASC). They are both working in the field of mycotoxins and mycotoxin toxicology. This is an area with great potential for more collaboration between Brazil and the NVI.