Sustainability and fisheries management

It’s a pleasure for me to be here today and speak to you about Norway’s commitment regarding sustainable management and our battle against illegal, unreported and unregistered fishing.  

Sustainable management is no longer a topic of concern only for governments and the industry; The issue is also increasingly on the minds of consumers. We all know that the fishery resources are limited and must be managed accordingly.   

Norway is now on the cutting edge of fisheries management. Scientifically -based management and the application of precautionary principles are central to our management measures.  

Over the past 35 years, the Norwegian fishing industry has developed from open-access, unregulated fisheries to a thoroughly regulated industry. Measures like quotas and licenses have been introduced in order to prevent over-fishing and depletion of resources.  Today we have very strict rules and regulations, and nearly all stocks with commercial value are regulated. 

Our fishing fleet consists of both small coastal vessels and large off-shore trawlers and purse seiners. A varied fleet is important because it secures employment and livelihood in many coastal communities. It is also important in order to be able to harvest from all parts of our fish-stocks, in-shore as well as off-shore.  

Norway relies heavily on international co-operation when it comes to managing stocks that we share with other nations, such as with the EU and with Russia.  Our starting point in quota negotiations is our contribution to a responsible harvest.  

For our economically important fish stocks, I am glad to say that most stocks are in overall good condition.  

In the case of our commercially most important stock, the North-East Arctic cod, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, states that the stock is above precautionary levels and at full reproductive capacity, but that harvesting rates should be reduced.  

This reflects the fact that in some cases, a compromise has to be reached between optimal management measures purely for the purpose of rebuilding stocks, and balancing these interests against the needs of fishermen and coastal communities. 

IUU

The Norwegian Government has a strong focus on fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries. IUU fishing is a threat to both fish stocks and the economic basis of law-abiding fishermen.   

We all know that IUU fishing has grave consequences for fish stocks, and therefore for the ecosystem as well as for the fishing industry. Combating IUU has been a major priority for my government. I am also very pleased that Non-governmental organisations, the market and the fishing industry itself are taking part in this fight.

For the last years Norway has prioritized the immediate problem of IUU fishing of cod in the Barents Sea. We have worked –and will continue to work - both at national, bilateral and global levels to increase transparency and co-ordination in order to enhance our efforts. 

Norwegian estimates show that overfishing of cod in 2005 amounted to 100 000 tonnes. By 2007, the figure was 40 000 tonnes.  This is a reduction of 60 per cent in two years.  

Still, the nature of IUU fishing is such that IUU operators will try to circumvent new measures. Therefore, we will continue our efforts to reduce IUU fishing as vigorously as before.  

Thank you very much for your attention!