RV Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, the research vessel of the Nansen Programme.

The Nansen Programme supports developing countries in fishery research and management to contribute to sustainable utilization of the marine living resources and an improved protection of the marine environment. The Programme’s objectives reflect the spirit of international cooperation contained in the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UN LOSC) and are consistent with the United Nations Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

The Programme has a field component through the surveys with the RV ‘Dr. Fridtjof Nansen’ and produces basic information on resource abundance and distribution to satisfy immediate management needs. The long-term objective of the programme is self-sufficiency in fishery research and management in partner countries, through the development and strengthening of their institutions.

The Programme is financed by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) . The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) acts as executing agency in cooperation with partner institutions.

The main elements of the Programme are the following:

• Fisheries and environmental research, based on the surveys with the research vessel ‘Dr. Fridtjof Nansen’
• Provision of high-level expertise and advice in strategic planning aimed at strengthening research and management institutions
• On-the-job training on board the vessel and ashore at research institutions
• Organised training of national staff through courses, working groups and seminars, both at home and abroad
• Support to individual professional training
• Technical assistance in various aspects of fisheries management