European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, and Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, in Hammerfest on 20 March.
Photo: NFD (Norwegian Department of Fisheries).
Last week the world's northernmost city played host to a high-level EU-Norway meeting on fisheries management, seafood trade and sustainability.
The European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, visited Hammerfest in nothern Norway on Thursday 20 March for discussions with Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Marianne Sivertsen Næss.
"Norway and the EU have a long tradition of cooperating on fisheries management. I greatly appreciate that the Commissioner has come all the way to Hammerfest, my hometown, to see how Norway’s fisheries industry operates and to discuss key fisheries and ocean issues," said Sivertsen Næss, in a Norwegian government press statement.
The meeting addressed topics including the green transition of the fishing fleet, ocean research, catchID identification, sustainable food systems and trade in seafood, the Minister said.
Commissioner Kadis participated in a tour of Lerøy Seafood’s saltfish facility in Rypefjord, near Hammerfest, in Finnmark county, Norway.
Photo: NFD (Norwegian Department of Fisheries).
The Commissioner's visit began with a tour of Lerøy Seafood’s saltfish facility in Rypefjord. This was followed by boarding the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel KV Hopen, which had recently undertaken a rescue operation in Lyngen, where the Coast Guard provided insights into their role in resource control and search and rescue operations, alongside a tour of the state-of-the-art ship. Later in the day, the EU and Norway delegations held formal discussions and took part in a guided tour of Hammerfest.
Commenting on the visit, Sivertsen Næss emphasized the importance of maintaining strong EU-Norway relations, and the mutual benefits of collaboration.
"Europe is crucial for Norway, for Norwegian exports, fisheries and ocean management, and for Norwegian jobs. But Norway is also important to the EU. Norwegian seafood contributes to economic activity and jobs in the EU," she stated.
"That’s why cooperation is essential – ensuring that we understand each other’s perspectives and needs. It’s important that we can engage in constructive dialogue on positive developments, as well as more challenging issues," Sivertsen Næss added.
Norway and the EU have cooperated on fisheries management for over 40 years, including joint annual quota negotiations. The Hammerfest meeting builds on prior discussions between Kadis and Sivertsen Næss held in Brussels earlier this year.
In two social media posts, Kadis described the visit as "a constructive and enriching day in Hammerfest" and stated: "Our dialogue continues to further mutual understanding and pave the way for pragmatic solutions. The EU and Norway are likeminded partners, who share the same values and willingness to develop a wide range of cooperation".
