Since its inception in 1975, the Nansen Programme has partnered with 60 countries across Africa, Asia, and South America to support fisheries research and management. Over the years, its goals and objectives have continually evolved to address emerging global challenges and the shifting needs of its partner countries.
Six phases of the Programme
In the beginning, surveys were conducted to investigate the presence of unknown fish stocks in the waters of newly independent states bordering the Arabian Sea and adjacent gulfs, the Eastern Indian Ocean, the South China Sea, and the Southwest Indian Ocean.
This groundbreaking approach enabled scientific discoveries, setting a foundation for oceanographic research and sustainable use of marine resources.
The first research vessel (R/V) named Dr. Fridtjof Nansen was launched in October 1974, and the first survey started on 14 February 1975.
In the 1980s, efforts focused on detailed mapping and taking inventory of fish resources within the EEZs of beneficiary countries. The vessel was deployed in coastal waters throughout the Western Indian Ocean, the Eastern and Western tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern Central Pacific Ocean.
This effort provided vital data and information on fish stocks, fostering informed fisheries management strategies and supporting countries to strengthen their knowledge of marine ecosystems.
In the early 1990s, the Programme shifted its focus to fishery resources and environmental monitoring, particularly in southwest Africa. Annual surveys were conducted to build time series. Moreover, the Programme expanded its original scope to include capacity building in fisheries research and management, emphasizing institutional strengthening in partner countries.
Post-survey meetings were organized to present survey results to fisheries administrations. Regional collaboration and transboundary issues became central to the Programme, with special attention given to countries and institutions in southwest Africa, northwest Africa, and the Gulf of Guinea.
The first R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen served the Programme until 1993, when the second vessel was commissioned in October that same year and began operations in January 1994.
From 2006 to 2016, following the FAO Committee on Fisheries’ endorsement of the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF), the focus shifted to supporting the implementation of the EAF across Africa.
The EAF-Nansen Project "Strengthening the Knowledge Base for and Implementing an Ecosystem Approach to Marine Fisheries in Developing Countries" was managed by FAO and aimed to strengthen regional and country-specific efforts to assist in the achievement of food security by developing sustainable fisheries management regimes, specifically by applying the EAF in developing countries.
Vessel operations were based on co-funding from partners, and the Nansen Programme worked in close collaboration with Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) projects, and other initiatives across Africa.
From 2017 to 2023, the Programme collaborated with 32 countries across Africa and the Bay of Bengal to achieve the objective that “sustainable fisheries improve food and nutrition security for people in partner countries”. This was accomplished by strengthening the capacities of fisheries institutions and generating scientific knowledge on marine resources and ecosystems. The Programme also considered other challenges impacting marine ecosystems beyond fisheries, such as climate change and pollution.
The third R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen was as delivered in January 2017 and was launched in May 2017, following a naming ceremony in Oslo’s harbour.
In the current phase, the focus will be on strengthening the results achieved in the previous phase, with an emphasis on incorporating ocean governance, cross-sectoral issues, and socio-economic considerations into fisheries management. Support will be directed toward empowering individuals and institutions in partner countries, as well as regional bodies with mandates to manage or advise on fisheries, or broader governance organizations with responsibilities that include fisheries.