EAF-Nansen Programme celebrates its 50th Anniversary at the One Ocean Week in Bergen
7 April 2025, Bergen, Norway – During the One Ocean Week in Bergen, Norway, the EAF-Nansen Programme celebrated its 50th anniversary with a dedicated event titled Fisheries Management for Food Security. Held at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research's (IMRs) shipping division in central Bergen, the gathering showcased the Programme's contributions to sustainable fisheries and global food security.
Dating back to 1975, the EAF-Nansen Programme is the longest-standing fisheries development initiative of FAO and Norway. Over the years the Programme has worked with 58 countries across Africa, Latin America and Asia, contributing to food and nutrition security by improving fisheries management in line with the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), strengthening the capacities of fisheries institutions, and generating scientific knowledge on marine resources and ecosystems.
Merete Tandstad, EAF-Nansen Programme coordinator, presenting the “Nansen Journey” to the audience at the event. © IMR
Central to the Programme's is the Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, a research vessel that conducts surveys, collecting vital data on fish stocks, biodiversity, and oceanographic conditions. Information that has been crucial in informing policy decisions and promoting sustainable fishing practices in partner nations.
The Bergen event featured insights from key stakeholders, including representatives from FAO, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), IMR, the RAFTO Foundation, the One Ocean Youth Panel, and other distinguished guests like Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary Generals Special Envoy for the Ocean, who congratulated the Programme for its longstanding partnership and efforts.
Peter Thomson with Bergen City’s Mona Johannesen, Merete Tandstad from the EAF-Nansen Programme, and Ianira Vieira from the One Ocean Youth Panel.© Peter Thomson
Nils Gunnar Kvamstø, CEO of IMR. © IMR
Discussions emphasized the Programme's role in addressing challenges such as overfishing, climate change, and the need for regional cooperation in managing fisheries on shared marine resources.
Looking ahead, the Programme has a renewed focus on strengthening fisheries management in the face of climate change. In December 2023, Norway committed approximately 1 billion NOK (nearly $94 million) to support the current phase (2024-2028), underscoring its dedication to sustainable ocean stewardship.
The event in Bergen not only celebrated five decades of impactful work but also reinforced the Programme's commitment to fostering resilient marine ecosystems and securing livelihoods for people who depend on the ocean.
About the Programme
The EAF-Nansen Programme celebrates 50 years in 2025, making it the longest-running fisheries development initiative of FAO and Norway. Executed in close collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR), regional organizations and 32 countries across Africa and the Bay of Bengal, it supports sustainable fisheries management to achieve food and nutrition security.
It is also one of the endorsed 'Decade Actions' under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and aligned with FAO's vision for the Blue Transformation of aquatic food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all.