Lisbeth Berg-Hansen was yesterday appointed the new Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs following Helga Pedersen.
"She knows politics and the seafood industry well. She has even been involved in fish farming for many years, and has been active in fisheries organisations. She is a person who represents coastal Norway. This is important in a time of financial crisis, where we will safeguard jobs on the coast," said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg when he presented the new minister yesterday morning.
The new minister's background includes serving as a board member of Aker Seafoods ASA and as co-owner and board member of the salmon producer Sinkaberg-Hansen AS. Ms Berg-Hansen is also a board member of Bindal Salmon AS and Bindal Smolt AS, and she is a deputy in the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.
Ms Berg-Hansen has a long political career, also involving fisheries and aquaculture. From 1992 to 1996 she was a political advisor in the Ministry of Fisheries. From 2000 to 2001 she was State Secretary at the Prime Minister's office, during Jens Stoltenberg's first government.
State Secretary Vidar Ulriksen will continue to serve as the minister's secretary.
