As part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF)-Nansen Programme, Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries, Dr. Arvin Boolell, conducted a guided tour aboard the research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen on Wednesday 11 June 2025. The tour took place at the Peninsula Area, Quay E, in Port Louis.
Minister Boolell was accompanied by the Ambassador of Norway to Mauritius, Mr. Haakon Gram-Johannessen; the United Nations (UN) and Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms. Lisa Simrique Singh; and other distinguished personalities.
In his address, Minister Boolell highlighted that the Programme is a partnership involving the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN, the Embassy of Norway, regional organizations and 32 countries across Africa and the Bay of Bengal. This collaboration aims to enhance food and nutrition security through improved fisheries management, strengthened fisheries institutions and the generation of scientific knowledge on marine resources and ecosystems.
Dr. Boolell reaffirmed Mauritius’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its vision of becoming a sustainable Ocean State. Emphasizing the importance of research, he pointed out that Mauritius has significant potential to explore and develop its marine resources. He expressed optimism that this partnership would help advance sustainable fisheries and ocean research in the country.
The Minister also underscored the importance of deepening bilateral relations between Mauritius and Norway. He called on the partner countries involved in the Programme to unite in addressing the threats facing our oceans. He further recalled the Prime Minister’s participation at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, which demonstrates Mauritius’s active engagement in advancing ocean sustainability, climate resilience and regional cooperation.
Ambassador Gram-Johannessen highlighted the Programme’s vital role in tackling common challenges such as climate change. Reflecting on the longstanding relationship between Mauritius and Norway centered around ocean development, he noted that the vessel has made its sixth visit to Mauritius — its first being in 2008 — underscoring the sustained commitment and long-term perspective of this partnership.
The Ambassador emphasized that the blue economy is a strategic pillar of Mauritius’s economic transformation. He stated that the data and insights gathered through the Programme will support Mauritius in climate change research and sustainable resource management, fostering a thriving blue economy.
Ms. Lisa Simrique Singh pointed out that the launch of the Programme significantly contributes to the SDGs by advancing marine science, promoting sustainable development and building resilience in Small Island Developing States. She acknowledged that, despite Mauritius’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone, the country currently faces limitations in capacity and resources to fully harness its ocean potential. She stressed that Mauritius’s future resilience to climate change and economic diversification depends heavily on a deep understanding and effective management of its ocean resources. Ms. Singh reaffirmed the UN’s support in partnering with Mauritius to seize the opportunities presented by the ocean economy.
About the Nansen Programme
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, the Nansen Programme marks half a century of dedicated partnership with FAO, Norway, coastal nations, and regional organizations in promoting sustainable fisheries management to achieve food and nutrition security. It is one of the longest-standing fisheries development initiatives jointly undertaken by Norway and FAO.
Over the years, the Programme has collaborated with 60 countries across Africa, Asia, Central and South America, assisting them in fisheries research, capacity building and fostering international cooperation.