Development and use of selective fishing gear

The development, testing and introduction of selective fishing gear is part of the process of ensuring that regulations are implemented so that fishing activities can be carried out on the basis of resource-friendly and rational utilisation of fish stocks.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs is responsible for the maritime infrastructure along the coast, with the Norwegian Coastal Administration as executive agency. The Norwegian Coastal Administration is responsible for the coastal affairs, marine safety and communication.

The implementation of the precautionary approach, the ecosystem-based approach and the integrated ocean management approach are significant aspects of the current oceans policy in Norway.

Environmental-friendly fishing methods

The principal objective of the fish capture research is the development of resource and environmentally friendly commercial fishing gears and the provision of better tools for ecosystem and stock monitoring.

The aim of employing a precautionary approach in fisheries management is to reduce the risk of overexploitation and depletion of fish stocks. In practice, the precautionary approach entails the setting of reference points that signals objectives for management and threshold levels for stock size and mortality of fish.

Over the last decade, fisheries have become an environmental issue. While the industry always has depended upon the ocean environment for its productivity, its relationship to the environment has taken on a new meaning.

Environmental aspects of Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture management

Norway is currently one of the world’s leading exporters of seafood from capture fisheries and aquaculture. Sustainable management of living marine resources and maintenance of clean and productive oceans is an important part of Norway’s success, as well as a criterion for future growth.

Development and use of selective fishing gear

Coastal affairs

The application of environmental principles in Norwegian fisheries management

Environmental-friendly fishing methods

Environmental principles in fisheries management

Fisheries and the environment

Environmental aspects of Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture management

The Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs