Old port fishing equipment on pier, Hovsund Norway
Adobe Stock
The Directorate of Fisheries in Norway (Fiskeridirektoratet, in Norwegian) will introduce a new authority in 2026 to seize and destroy unmarked fishing gear.
This follows the Norwegian Parliament’s approval of an amendment to the Marine Resources Act and the consequent transfer of responsibility from the police to the Directorate of Fisheries.
The purpose of this change is to ensure more effective control and management of unmarked fishing gear in cases where the owner cannot be identified, thereby preventing illegal and unregulated fishing.
According to the Ministry, ownerless fishing gear, or “ghost fishing,” can harm or kill fish, seabirds, marine mammals, and other organisms. In addition, it causes marine litter and plastic pollution, affecting vulnerable seabed and coastal habitats.
"The background for the legislative change is both environmental and administrative. It is about preventing unnecessary mortality in ecosystems, reducing plastic and waste in the ocean, protecting the resource base in fisheries, and ensuring responsible and sustainable use of the ocean," says Fisheries Director Frank Bakke-Jensen.
In 2023, Norway became the first European country to share tracking data on the Global Fishing Watch map, demonstrating its leadership in fisheries transparency. In terms of value, it is also worth remembering that it is the second-largest seafood exporter in the world.
