The fisheries industry is the backbone of coastal Norway. In the year 2000, Norway is exporting fish and fish products worth more than NOK 32 billion to more than 150 countries. More than half of the export value stems from capture fisheries, most of which are based on fish stocks that are shared with other countries and require international cooperation in their management.
Fish stocks are shared with other countries and most of the fish landed is exported.
An international requirement The overriding goal of Norwegian fisheries management is the sustainable utilisation of living marine resources. The crucial elements of fisheries management are the knowledge base of management, the regulations of fishing activity and the enforcement of these regulations. The objective of sustainable use of living marine resources is firmly rooted in international requirements to fisheries management. The 1982 UN Law of the Sea Convention commits countries to sustainable management practices, and the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Convention as well as the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries requires states to ensure the sustainability of their fish stocks. To give effect to this aim, a precautionary approach set out in the latter agreements is applied.