Nor-Fishing Technology Conference 2008

Nor-Fishing Technology Conference - Trondheim, 12 August 2008

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to greet you at the closing stage of the Nor-Fishing Technology Conference 2008 here in Trondheim.

The intention of the conference is to create a forum for presentations and discussions where the focus is on the main challenges confronting the fishing industry in the years to come and possible means to meet these challenges. Hopefully this objective has been achieved to a large extent during these conferences.

Over recent years, the increased awareness of climate change has augmented the need for further technological progress aimed at reducing the emissions of climate gases and particles. At the same time it has intensified the need for a sustainable utilisation of marine resources.

In addition to this, rising fuel prices have put pressure on many actors in the industry. This has lead to a debate about the development of more energy-efficient technological solutions for operating the fleets - solutions which could now be deployed faster than previously anticipated.

The conference and your work here is therefore of great importance for ensuring a further sustainable development of the fishing fleet - a development in which technology will have a key role to play. The main issue here is how technology and science can contribute to solving the current and future challenges facing the fishing fleet. Whether these relate to climate change, the environment, the economy, or to societal goals and priorities, they are all challenges that must be met.

The fishing fleet of the future must be based on a principle of sustainable utilisation of raw materials from the sea. The environmental dimension of sustainable fisheries involves the exploitation of marine resource with a long-term perspective. This will help secure the industry for future generations.

Over the years, fishing technology has progressed rapidly, resulting in highly efficient vessels. Developments in sensor technology, new materials, the capacity of machinery and new gear systems, such as the triple trawl, have contributed to that. Within most fisheries, the catching capacity has developed far in excess of requirements, and this in turn has challenged the management measures aimed at keeping it under control.

Although technological progress has improved the efficiency within most of the world's fishing fleets, fundamental problems such as over-exploitation, poor fishing gear selectivity, large post-harvest losses and poor utilisation of by-products remain to be solved. There are also unresolved issues regarding fishermen’s safety and working conditions onboard fishing vessels.

It is also paramount that technological progress promotes an energy-efficient fleet. It will be important to reduce the carbon footprint from fishing and to develop low-energy fishing concepts.

Fishing technology, improved profitability, conservation of the environment and safety at sea must be closely linked to an overall long-term goal of securing clean, rich and productive oceans for wealth creation and sustainable use.

The challenges in the fisheries are global in nature, and a broad international cooperation is required to deal with these issues involving many parties. The Nor-Fishing Technology Conference provides an excellent arena for facilitating close dialogue between scientists, the industry and users. Nor-Fishing is one of the world’s largest meeting places for the fisheries industry to engage in professional discussion, so what better venue for such a conference than in conjunction with The Nor-Fishing exhibition?

With participants from more than 10 different countries, representing the industry itself, universities, research institutes and public authorities – the Nor-Fishing Technology Conference is truly an indication of the international scope of the fisheries industry and of the interest in these issues.

In order to maintain our competitive edge, we need to improve every day, and history has shown us that science and technology plays a crucial role in this development. In view of the number of unresolved issues in this field, broad international cooperation in research and development is a must. No single nation has the ability to develop all the necessary knowledge in these fields. Nations and researchers need to cooperate, and share their results for the benefit of all. It is said, and it is surely true, that knowledge and understanding are among the few things which gain from being shared.

I am certain that the Nor-Fishing Technology Conference 2008 has generated substantial contributions to new knowledge, ideas, insights and possibilities for cooperation between many of you. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the organisers of the conference for hosting this important meeting place for the people committed to the industry.

I also want to tell you in very clear terms that the Government is interested in your work, and we will be doing our utmost to try to stimulate further research and progress, and I urge you to carry forward your work on these issues.

Thank you for your attention.