Norwegian research vessel bound for Sri Lanka

• To assist in conducting a stock assessment of marine resources

 A planning seminar is taking place in Colombo for a new Norwegian Research Vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen to call on Sri Lankan waters in 2018 to carry out a survey on marine resources. This is part of a technical and institutional cooperation program on fisheries between Norway and Sri Lanka endorsed by top level political authorities of the two countries. The aim of the planned survey is to understand the current status of marine resources, including fish stocks, and to investigate stocks of unexploited/underutilised fishery resources on the continental shelf and slope. The last stock assessment for Sri Lanka was carried out by the previous Dr. Fridtjof Nansen from 1978 to 1980.

The new marine research vessel RV Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is owned by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and is jointly operated by the Institute of Marine Research of Norway and the Food and Agriculture Organisation to help developing countries improve their fisheries management.

Ambassador of Norway to Sri Lanka and Maldives Thorbjørn Gaustadsæther speaking at an event finalising the plaining schedules for the Vessel’s arrival to the Bay of Bengal said that the new research vessel will make it possible to significantly step up Norway’s assistance for ecosystem-based marine management in developing countries. 

He further said the initiative is part of the new Ocean strategy of Norway and that the country see itself as ‘creating partnerships for the oceans’ as it enhances sharing knowledge both across industries and across international borders.