On the 24th August 1977 the first research cruise was launched in Mozambique by the research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen. The vessel returned to Mozambique 26 September 2007 to launch this years ecosystem survey in Mozambican waters. This marked 30 years of co-operation between Mozambique and Norway for the development of the fisheries sector.
The Nansen Programme was recently awarded a Swedish price for “a unique quality research programme”, contributing to improved fisheries management in developing countries during 30 years. In addition to this, Norway was recently given the status as “the best in the world in fisheries management” by the independent institution Chatham House in London.
The goal of the Norwegian support to Mozambique’s fisheries sector is:
To develop institutions with capacity and competence for research based fisheries management. The aim is to achieve sustainable aquatic resource utilization and viable economic growth in the private sector. The Norwegian support aims to contribute towards improved food security, reduced unemployment and poverty alleviation.
Norway is today financing two programmes:
The Sector Programme focuses on: i) Fisheries policy, administration and management, ii) Fisheries Research and Stock Assessment, iii) Aquaculture Development, iv) Marine Control and Surveillance (MCS) - including the combat of IUU (illegal, underreported and unreported fishing).
The Sofala Programme focuses on: i) Community development, ii) Fisheries development, iii) Market Support and Access and iv) Financial Services