Ava Ocean appoints Torstein Heggstad as new MD of Fisheries. Ava Ocean has appointed Torstein Heggstad as its Managing Director for Fisheries, expanding the management team and bringing extensive experience and know-how to the Norwegian seabed technology and seafood company’s next phase.
Heggstad’s vast experience comes from both the maritime industry and fisheries, most recently as the MD for Maritime Partner AS, a producer of specialised vessels from 6 to 22 metres. In addition, he has been MD for shipping and fishery company Volstad Shipping as well as managing director and Chair of Nils Sperre.
No stranger to Ava Ocean’s vision, Heggstad has followed the company from the start and was an early-stage member of Ava Ocean’s board of directors.
Heggstad says:
“I have believed in this company from day one, and I am excited to join the team. Ava Ocean has a fantastic mission, and I look forward to being a part of building this company into a game changer in the seafood industry. The potential of the company and its technology is quite unique.”
A solid addition to the leadership team
Øystein Tvedt, Group CEO of Ava Ocean says:
“We are so happy to welcome Torstein to the Ava Ocean team, where his strong leadership and unique experience in the industry will be a fantastic addition to our company. Ava Ocean is on a mission to reinvent how we harvest seafood from the seabed, and having Torstein on board in this next growth phase of the company is a real advantage.”
Heggstad will be based at Ava Ocean’s headquarters in Ålesund, Norway, and will oversee the completion of the rebuild of the company’s new vessel and build the fishery team ahead of recommencing harvesting operations in 2026.
Gentle scallop harvesting technology reopened fishery after 30 years
In 2023, after a more than 30-year hiatus, Ava Ocean reopened the Norwegian fishery for Arctic Scallops in the Barents Sea, thanks to its award-winning, non-invasive seabed harvesting technology. The company is currently refitting its new vessel and will recommence the fishery in Q1 2026.