Estonian researchers are successful in the NordForsk call for Sustainable fisheries from healthy seas

The results of NordForsk’s call „Sustainable fisheries from healthy seas“ have been announced.

The NordForsk call focused on sustainable fisheries in the context of climate change and the green transition. The research initiative aims to examine the impact of fishing activities on the marine environment and the options for fisheries to reduce their impact.

Applicants had to choose between two themes and perspectives:

Theme 1: Assessment and mitigation of the impacts of fisheries on the marine environment
Theme 2: Evaluation of the effects and feasibility of time-area closures as a fisheries management tool
Perspective 1: Climate change
Perspective 2: Ecosystem services

The call was opened in March 2024 and the deadline was in May. 13 applications were submitted, 2 of which involved Estonian researchers. Four collaborative projects were funded, involving researchers from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Estonia, and the projects will last three to four years. The Estonian partners participating in the projects are funded by the Estonian Research Council. More information about the call and the results can be found on the NordForsk website.

Estonian project receiving funding:

–   The project “Feasibility and effects of Spatio Temporal Closures on Baltic and Eastern North Sea herring Stocks” involves a working group from the University of Tartu led by Henn Ojaveer. The project leader is Nicolas Goñi from the Natural Resources Institute Finland. In addition to Estonian and Finnish researchers, Norwegian and Danish researchers are also participating in the project.