Marine and fish health group Akerbla has taken a controlling stake in British Ocean Ecology, which specializes in environmental and marine surveys, the companies announced Monday.

Akerbla is buying 51 percent of the shares in Gloucester, England-based British Ocean Ecology as part of its plan to expand its operations beyond its home based of Norway.

The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

Akerbla -- backed by private equity group Broodstock Capital -- is headquartered in Trodelag, Norway, and has 20 other branch offices in the country.