KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- Norway has become the first country in Europe to partner with Global Fishing Watch, and will share its vessel tracking data for the Norwegian fishing fleet on the organisation’s public map.
According to a statement, the announcement was made at the second United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal where countries are gathering to mobilise action and innovative solutions to some of the ocean’s most pressing threats.
Under the memorandum of understanding, which was signed between Global Fishing Watch and Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries, Norway has agreed to share the vessel monitoring system data for vessels 15 metres or more in length on the Global Fishing Watch map.
“We’re seeing more and more countries embrace fisheries transparency, demonstrating their understanding of just how essential public data is to the effective management of fishing activity,” said Tony Long, chief executive officer of Global Fishing Watch.
“Norway has taken a leading global role in the sustainable ocean economy and is using its experience and expertise to promote better ocean governance. By bringing its fishing fleet into our map, Norway is paving the way for other countries, including developed nations, to follow suit.”
Meanwhile, director general of the Directorate of Fisheries in Norway, Frank Bakke-Jensen said: “Wild living marine resources are a common good and belong to everyone.
“When a commercial fishing fleet is licensed to utilise this common good, we are obliged and committed to share fisheries data documenting the environmental footprint of commercial fishing activity. We hope that others will follow this approach and share more fisheries data.”
The incorporated data will span a total of approximately 600 vessels—all vessels 15 metres in length or more predominantly operating in Norwegian waters and the northeast Atlantic Ocean.
The partnership with Global Fishing Watch will help make its vessel tracking data more accessible to a wider range of stakeholders—a substantial benefit in thesphere of international fi sheries management.
Global Fishing Watch is an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea.
-- BERNAMA
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