A programme Agreement was signed today 28 March 2018 at the Economic Relations Division (ERD), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka between the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to implement the EAF Nansen programme titled “Supporting the Application of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Considering Climate and Pollution Impacts”.

The Programme (2017-2021) is funded by the Government of Norway and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in close collaboration with the Norwegian Institute for Marine Research (IMR) that operates the vessel and provides scientific services to the Programme.  

The Norwegian Government has been supporting the Global Nansen Programme since the early 1970s.  The overall objective of the Programme is to strengthen regional and country-specific efforts to reduce poverty, create optimum conditions for achieving food security and nutrition through the development of sustainable fisheries management systems and, more specifically, the application of an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF).  

‘The Programme is served by a new Research Vessel that is at the forefront of technology, the 3^rd research vessel ship to bear the name Dr Fridtjof Nansen during an ongoing 40-year partnership between FAO and Norway. The vessel remains a primary tool of the EAF-Nansen Programme and continues to operate as a unique platform for knowledge generation and capacity development.  Housing seven different laboratories packed with high tech equipment, the Dr. Fridtjof Nansen vessel is the only marine research ship on the globe that flies the UN flag.

The work of the research vessel Dr Fridtjof Nansen is an important part of FAO's support to member countries. It provides vital information for the management of marine resources in FAO member countries.  In many countries, the Nansen surveys offer the only credible source of fishery-independent data for assessment. At per Government request, the research survey will be conducted in Bangladesh waters in early August 2018 for 2 weeks. The general objective of the surveys with the Dr Fridtjof Nansen research vessel is to collect data on distribution and abundance of fish stocks, biodiversity, environmental conditions, occurrence of micro plastics, using cutting-edge technology and sophisticated equipment to assist developing countries assemble scientific data critical to sustainable fisheries management and to study how a changing climate is affecting our oceans.

On behalf of the Government of Bangladesh Dr. Kazi Anowarul  Hoque, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division and on behalf of FAO, Mr. David Doolan, FAO Representative in Bangladesh signed the Agreement.  On behalf of the Donor Her Excellency Sidsel Bleken, the Ambassador of Norway graced the ceremony with her kind presence and stated that “today's agreement between the FAO and the GOB, supported by Norway commits us to work together more closely towards our common goal, the pursuit of the development of the fisheries sector research and the related implementation of SDGs."