"Both the fishing industry and the coast need young skilled individuals," said Minister of Fisheries and Seafood Marianne Sivertsen Næss about Norway's Youth Fishing Program 2024.
Photo: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries / David Berg Tvetene.
Norway's Government has decided to continue the Youth Fishing Program in 2024 to give youth the opportunity to work in summer jobs as fishermen. The ultimate goal of the program is to offer young Norwegians an introduction to fishing as a career option.
Aimed at young people between 12 and 25 years old, the program, which applies nationwide, allows those interested to participate in fishing during the summer vacations - from June 17 to August 16 - and sell catches for up to NOK 50,000 (EUR 4,218 - USD 4,501). New this year, it also includes unregulated species caught in regular fisheries along the coast.
"Both the fishing industry and the coast need young skilled individuals," remarked Norway's new Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in her assessment of the program. Marianne Sivertsen Næss - Labour Party - took over from Cecilie Myrseth just two weeks ago, after Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reshuffled his cabinet.
"Summer jobs are for many young people their first encounter with the labor market, and the experiences they gain can open their eyes to the opportunities in the fishing industry," she continued. "Youth fishing is important for recruitment, and I am committed to ensuring that more young people get to try their hand at fishing."
As mentioned, in addition to the regular Youth Fishing Program, there are also separate municipal schemes in Norway that make it easier for young people to try their hand at fishing. It is precisely some of those municipalities that have informed the Government that it is challenging the regulation on youth fishing only applies to fishing for regulated species.
Until now, this meant that species such as velvet crab or anglerfish, for example, could not be fished. Therefore, in the Youth Fishing Program 2024 the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries has adjusted the regulations to also apply to unregulated species. Beyond this, the scheme continues as before.
"We have received feedback that it would be useful for young people to be able to fish for unregulated species caught in the usual fisheries along the coast. This will give young people even more skills when they go out to try their hand," explained Marianne Sivertsen Næss. "We have listened to that feedback," the Minister for Fisheries and Oceans concluded.
Young people interested in participating in Norway's Youth Fishing Program 2024 can register with the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.
