RhyAkva's board brings together renowned industrial entrepreneurs, executives and professionals. The combined experience and leadership of these executives and entrepreneurs in high-profile international ventures position our ventures to drive strategic growth, operational excellence and sustainable value creation in the grouper aquaculture value chain.
Board of Directors
Executive Chairman & CEO
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Rhyder Ramos, DVM, is a pioneering figure in grouper aquaculture and the driving force behind the world’s first successful Dusky Grouper value-chain development. He brings extensive international experience across seafood value-chain design, product innovation, emerging markets, business intelligence, global commercial strategy, and aquaculture innovation—spanning both start-up ecosystems and large-scale growth ventures.
Board Member
Asgeir Østvik, DVM, is the visionary co-founder of Åkerblå DNV, Norway’s leading provider of fish-health and marine-environment services. He has been instrumental in shaping Åkerblå into one of the world’s foremost accredited providers in fish health and environmental services. From supporting the Norwegian aquaculture sector in its early development to guiding the industry through phases of rapid growth and modernization, Østvik has consistently combined technical expertise with entrepreneurial vision. Today, Åkerblå not only plays a central role in Norway’s aquaculture ecosystem but also serves as a trusted partner in international markets, contributing to the global advancement of responsible and sustainable fish farming practices.
Board Member
Alf-Gøran Knutsen is the innovative CEO of Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett —a trailblazer in sustainable aquaculture. With a background in economics, he joined the family-owned and heritage-rich salmon farm in 2008, pioneering its transformation into one of the world's most certified and trusted salmon farming operations.
Under his leadership, Kvarøy has become a benchmark for sustainability, integrating eco-conscious feed research and breakthrough technologies—such as AI-driven lice-removal lasers—to ensure both fish welfare and environmental stewardship. Knutsen’s philosophy of continuous learning and technological experimentation embodies his relentless mission: to feed the world sustainably, responsibly, and transparently.
Board Member
Christian Selmer is the founder of Advokatfirmaet Selmer, one of Scandinavia’s leading business law firms. Guided by a vision to combine top-tier legal expertise with commercial insight, he built the firm into a highly respected partner for corporations, investors, and entrepreneurs in corporate law, finance, transactions, and dispute resolution—serving both Norwegian and international markets. Beyond his legal career, Selmer has held numerous board positions across listed and private companies in the Nordic region, including Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble, Gillette, and Black & Decker. He has also brought his expertise to the seafood industry, serving on the boards of Fjord Seafood and Copeinca (now CFG Peru, the world’s largest wild-catch company).
Advisory Board
Advisor - Business Development
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Espen Ramsbacher is a seasoned Business Development Advisor with a strong track record in multinational business development and serial industrial entrepreneurship. He brings a unique combination of expertise in the circular economy, seafood logistics, and supply chain management, coupled with hands-on experience in investor relations and information technology. Throughout his career, Espen has been instrumental in building growth strategies across industries, bridging operational excellence with sustainable innovation, and driving value creation for both established corporations and emerging ventures. His cross-sectoral insight and global perspective make him a valuable advisor for companies navigating complex markets and seeking long-term, sustainable growth.
Advisor - Fish Health & Welfare
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Brit Tørud is a highly respected Fish Health and Welfare Advisor, specializing in fish health, animal welfare, and biosecurity. With a solid background in applied research, she has dedicated her career to advancing best practices that improve fish welfare standards while ensuring robust health management in aquaculture. Brit combines scientific expertise with practical field and regulatory experience, making her a trusted advisor for initiatives that aim to balance sustainability, productivity, and ethical responsibility in modern aquaculture.
Advisor - Business Law and Compliance
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​Andrea Artz is a distinguished Advisor specializing in Business Law and Compliance, offering deep expertise in navigating complex legal frameworks and regulatory landscapes around the world. With a sharp command of corporate governance and risk mitigation, Andrea ensures that our organization operate with both legal integrity, ethics and strategic foresight. Her approach blends sound legal judgment with business acumen, empowering our board to make confident decisions in high-stakes environments and investments.
Advisor - Genetics
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​Prof. Dr. Øystein Lie is a globally recognized authority in aquaculture genetics and biotechnology, bringing unparalleled expertise in bridging the gap between academic research and commercial application. His distinguished career includes founding GenoMar, where he established the company as a leader in tilapia genetics in Brazil and a global benchmark for genetic improvement. Additionally, he served as the Rector of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), cementing his status as a leader in the scientific community. Prof. Lie specializes in converting high-level R&D into scalable industrial value, ensuring scientific innovation translates into tangible business success..