To manage our oceans sustainably, knowledge is key. For over 40 years, the Nansen programme has supported more than 60 countries in their efforts to promote sustainable fisheries management, most of them in Africa. The next phase of the programme, which started up with the new research vessel in 2017, will seek to expand its objectives to understand the combined effects of climate change, pollution, and fisheries, using the advanced scientific capabilities of R/V Dr Fridtjof Nansen.
The third R/V Dr Fridtjof Nansen Research vessel was officially launched in Oslo, Norway, on 24 March 2017. It is presently the worlds most advanced research vessel, and as the core of the Nansen-programme, it will operate in the waters of developing countries in the years ahead, under the auspices of FAO. The vessel will conduct fish stock surveys and do marine research in order to enhance our knowledge of the serious challenges the worlds oceans are facing related to pollution, climate change and unsustainable fishing practices. As part of the surveys, local marine researchers and fisheries managers will receive training on board.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
- Integrated Coastal Management
- Marine Spatial Planning
- Large Marine Ecosystem approach
- Ecosystem-based Adaptation
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
Type of commitment
- Science-based fisheries management plans
- Ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF)
- Reduction of fisheries by-catch and product waste/losses
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
- Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
- Research capacity development
- Data access and sharing
- Training and professional development
- Scientific cooperation
- Transfer marine technology
Ongoing
Develop local management plans and train marine researchers from developing countries
Ongoing
Increase marine science and fisheries management capacity in developing countries
Ongoing
Promote sustainable use of living marine resources and improved protection of the marine environment
Ongoing
Increase local knowledge on ecosystem based fisheries management.
