Control and enforcement

By focusing on tracking activities, conducting thorough inspections, fostering cross-agency collaboration, and strengthening international partnerships, the Directorate effectively upholds national and international fishing regulations while promoting transparency and sustainability in the industry.

The Directorate of Fisheries has implemented an automated documentation system designed to enhance transparency and accuracy in reporting fishing activities. This system collects real-time data on vessel location, catch volumes, and fishing activities, ensuring that all data is accurately recorded and accessible. The integration of electronic logbooks allows for continuous and verifiable documentation. Additionally, new regulations mandate reporting planned landing times, improving oversight and enabling more accurate tracking of fishing operations across the entire fleet.

The Directorate works closely with the Coast Guard to enhance at-sea inspections and ensure compliance with fishing regulations. Utilising advanced technology such as drones and automated surveillance systems, the Coast Guard has increased its capacity for sea-based monitoring. On land, the Directorate has centralised its oversight functions, improving data management and ensuring inspections are coordinated. These measures ensure thorough inspection and accurate verification of all landed fish, reducing the potential for underreporting or other violations.

The Directorate has established strong multi-agency partnerships with law enforcement, customs, tax authorities, and the Coast Guard. Collaborative data-sharing agreements and centralised analysis centers enable joint risk assessments and strategic inspections, ensuring the entire value chain is monitored for potential rule violations. A formalised collaboration framework with law enforcement ensures swift action against fisheries crime. Furthermore, joint training initiatives and the creation of inter-agency task forces help build specialised competencies and streamline efforts to identify and address illegal fishing practices.

To meet the growing demands of international markets and ensure compliance with global standards, the Directorate actively participates in international fisheries agreements and cooperates with other countries’ control agencies. Norwegian authorities issue catch certificates and adhere to global traceability requirements for fish exports, particularly for key markets. The Directorate is also advocating for the adoption of unified international standards for quota management, ensuring that fish caught under Norwegian jurisdiction are traceable and sustainably harvested. These efforts foster trust with international stakeholders and promote sustainable fishing practices on a global scale.