The Norwegian trawler fleet has agreed on a self-imposed ban on fishing in potentially vulnerable areas that may become accessible due to climate change, until the seabed can be surveyed, said Fiskebat — the Fishing Vessel Owners Association of Norway.
New proposals will be presented at an experts’ roundtable meeting in London.
Fiskebat said it took the threat of new areas being opened by climate change seriously, as it has a “centuries-old tradition of sustainably managing stocks in the Norwegian and Barents Sea”.
At the roundtable in London, key fishery scientists and the Norwegian fishing industry will outline proposals to ensure that the seabed in these new areas is scientifically studied.
Until the seabed mapping of these newly melted waters is conducted, the Norwegian trawler fleet will refrain from fishing in areas which has previously not been fished,” said Jan Ivar Marak of Fiskebat.
The London meet follows on from concerns voiced by Greenpeace earlier in the year over the newly-opening waters.
At the roundtable, British importers and several environmental organizations will hear how the Norwegian fisheries authorities are dealing with the challenge, and how the Norwegian catching sector has responded.
A key topic will see the presentation of a map that shows in which areas the Norwegian trawler fleet will voluntarily refrain from fishing.
The mapping is based on an analysis of activity levels audited by the Norwegian fishing authorities going back to 2004.
Marak expects that foreign trawlers with quota rights in the northern Barents Sea — such as those from Russia, EU, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland — will respect the industry agreement.To safeguard vulnerable seabed-dwelling species, there is already a regulatory framework designed to control fishing activity levels in the Barents Sea.