EAF-NANSEN PROGRAMME CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY ABOARD THE RESEARCH VESSEL DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN

The event brought together representatives from the FAO Representation in South Africa, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Royal Norwegian Embassy in South Africa, local fisheries experts, and students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, to reflect on the Programme’s role in supporting partner countries with cutting-edge research and capacity development.

Hilde Dahl from the Norwegian Embassy in South Africa shaking hands with Merete Tandstad, EAF-Nansen Programme Coordinator at FAO. Image cred_ FAO Mfundo Mthiyane

A long-running fisheries initiative

The R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is an integral part of the EAF-Nansen Programme, one of the longest-running fisheries development initiatives of Norway, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Since 1975, the Programme has provided data and capacity building that has contributed to critical advancements in ecosystem-based fisheries management, improved scientific understanding of marine resources, and informed policy decisions.

Norway’s Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, recognizes the positive impacts of the well-established partnership between FAO and Norway. “The EAF-Nansen Programme has always been at the forefront of advancing the scientific knowledge needed to sustainably manage marine ecosystems. Norway is immensely proud of this longstanding partnership, which continues to drive innovative research and responsible ocean governance”.

Following a morning of presentations and roundtable discussions, guests had the opportunity to explore the facilities aboard, guided by the captain, scientists, and crew from the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR) who operate the vessel.

Through demonstrations of the advanced equipment and technology, they gained firsthand insights into key areas of marine science, including fisheries acoustics, fisheries biology and species identification, oceanography, and bottom habitat mapping. This experience allowed them to see how the research surveys generate data and information that are shaping the future of fisheries management and marine conservation.

The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), which the Programme champions, has been instrumental in shifting fisheries management from a species-specific focus to an approach that considers ecological, human, and socio-economic factors. FAO recognizes this approach as the leading framework for achieving sustainable fisheries and as crucial in meeting the targets set out under Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14): Life Below Water.

“A healthy and productive ocean is vital to ensure aquatic foods contribute further to food security and nutrition efforts. But with 600 million people worldwide relying on the sector for their livelihood, their own sustainability is critical when discussing fisheries management objectives. It is this balance that allows us to manage resources effectively, safeguarding them, and the communities that depend on them” said Manuel Barange, FAO Assistant Director-General and Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division. “This is precisely the mission of the EAF-Nansen Programme: Bringing science into action to secure sustainable fisheries, for future generations.”

Tackling future challenges

The EAF-Nansen Programme is executed in close collaboration IMR, regional organizations and its partner countries. Since its inception, it has worked with 58 countries across Africa, Asia and South America, assisting them in both fisheries management and research for improved food and nutrition security.

In the 1970s, it conducted exploratory surveys to identify new fish resources in the Indian Ocean. By the 1980s and 1990s, the Programme had broadened its efforts, mapping and monitoring the key resources within partner countries and expanding surveys to Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In the 2010s and 2020s, its research focus expanded to tackle the rising pressures of overfishing, pollution and climate change.

The Programme's research vessel sailed 675 000 nautical miles from 1993 to 2023 and carried out 422 surveys, generating data and information that have informed more than 100 scientific publications.

Despite the Programme’s successes, significant challenges remain. These include the impacts of climate change, marine pollution, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable practices, all of which continue to threaten ocean sustainability. Because of the urgent need to address these issues, the EAF-Nansen Programme will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring that fisheries can go on providing food and livelihoods for millions of people.