2nd Annual North American Fishing Forum: Fostering Collaboration for a Safer and Sustainable Fishing Industry

More than 60 representatives from the fishing industry gathered in Seattle, Washington for the second Annual annual North American Fishing Forum, hosted by DNV.

Chaired by Vebjorn Antonsen of Glacier Fish Company, the Forum focused on knowledge sharing and exchanging best practices to promote a safer, more sustainable fishing industry. Discussions led by industry leaders included ways of financing of newbuilds, promoting of bycatch technologies, leveraging of federal policies in relation to vessel recapitalization, impact of US tonnage regulations compared to EU requirements, domestic statutory requirements for USA and Canadian fishing industry and the Blue schools introduced their education initiatives and support the maritime industry.

The forum also heard about the development and trends of the fishing industry from Arnstein Eknes, DNV’s Global Segment Director of Special Ships.

“Special thank you to DNV for hosting our 2^nd Annual North American Fishing Forum. Our event has been well received by the fishing industry and I am already looking forward to chairing next year’s forum,” says Vebjorn Antonsen.

“The fishing industry continues to play an important part in the global food supply chain. Stakeholders and consumers expect the use of resources from our oceans to be managed in a sustainable manner. To do this, we must work together to utilize new technology and efficiency advancements to reduce our impact on the oceans and maintain the safety of the industry, so it was great to have a good presentation and discussion on Bycatch and the forum provided this opportunity,” says Neil Jamieson Fraser, Key Account Manager for DNV, and Secretary of the North American Fishing Forum.

Attendees represented all aspects of the fishing industry value chain; fishing vessel owners, managers, designers, shipyards, supply chain, compliance and financial investors engaged in the full day event.

“DNV is the industry thought leader and we engaged our stakeholders in a day of interesting and challenging discussions on the future of the fishing industry,” says Gregor Madden, Director of Area West, Americas at DNV Maritime.