Podcast Episode 101: Seafood & Sustainable Aquaculture – Egil Sundheim

“My wish is that every family would have one ‘go-to’ seafood recipe to help them get at least one more serving of fish every week. Seafood is easier to prepare than people might think and there are so many great recipes available. Just find the types of fish you like and know that you can substitute seafood for any other protein source in any dish.” – Egil Sundheim

October is National Seafood Month! I recently traveled to Norway where I learned all about sustainable aquaculture and the Norwegian history of stewardship of the ocean. (Disclosure: The Norwegian Seafood Council invited me on this trip and paid for all trip expenses. This podcast is not sponsored.)  

Open water salmon pens (2.5% fish/97.5% water) – the fish are jumping to fill their swim bladders with air

My guest for this episode is Egil Sundheim, who I had the opportunity to meet while fishing, eating, and exploring in Norway. Egil has dedicated more than 20 years of his life to helping the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) thrive and evolve within the ever-changing seafood landscape. Egil serves as the NSC’s U.S. Director and has held numerous leadership titles during his tenure including marketing manager, senior analyst, and director of market information. He attended Nord University where he graduated with a degree in business administration then went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in international business from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his MBA in finance from the University of Minnesota.

Egil and I clear up some common myths and misconceptions about fish and discuss the importance of increasing the amount of seafood you eat weekly. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 8 ounces per week of a variety of seafood, yet only 1 in 10 Americans are meeting this goal. This episode is full of important information about the health benefits of seafood, how to pick the freshest seafood while you’re shopping, and ideas for a go-to seafood recipe of your own. Be sure to check out all the great seafood resources below!

Standing on the edge of an open water salmon pen in the fjord

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

• Why you should be eating seafood at least twice a week.
• Two of my favorite ways to get more seafood in my diet.
• What sustainable aquaculture is and how it’s evolved over the last few decades.
• The regulations the Norwegian government uses to ensure its farmed salmon is high-quality, healthy, and ecologically sustainable. 
• Why the “debate” over whether farmed or wild salmon is best may be unnecessary.
• Why transparency and a dedication to sustainability are such a critical part of Norway’s seafood production.
• The benefits of omega-3s in seafood and how farmers make sure their salmon get enough of them.
• What to look for when you’re buying seafood.

Smoked salmon at a local market

Various fish, seagull eggs and whale meat at a local market

Listen to the Full Episode:

Featured on the Show:

• To see more images including many of the various fish dishes we enjoyed in Norway, go to my blog post and gallery here.
• My mom’s healthy, simple, go-to seafood recipe:

• Norwegian Seafood Council | Website | Video | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
• Origin Matters: Norway’s unique location and natural landscape has created the perfect environment for fish
• Seafood recipes
• Liz’s Healthy Table Podcast Episode 36: Seafood Suppers
• Transparency: All information is available online
• Seafood Nutrition Partnership | Website | RDN Toolkit | Fish FANatics RDN Influencer Network
• Seafood Nutrition Partnership: Ways You Can Get Involved During National Seafood Month 2018
• Take the pledge!
• Food & Culinary Professionals DPG Webinar: A Sea of Change: Understanding What Sustainable Seafood Means Today
• Healthy Aging DPG Webinar: Feeding Your Brain: The Importance of Omega-3s as You Age
• Sound Bites Podcast Episode 097: Produce and Pesticides in Perspective – Teresa Thorne
• Melissa’s Do M.O.R.E. with Dinner Resource Kit

Sound Bites is collaborating with Today’s Dietitian! Stay tuned for updates on the podcast, blog and newsletter!

Save the Date! Today’s Dietitian Spring Symposium 2019 is in Scottsdale, Arizona May 19-22!

Music by Dave Birk

Enjoy The Show?

• Don’t miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Google Play, Spotify or RSS.
• Leave me a review in iTunes.
• Join the conversation by leaving a comment below!