How can fisheries crime be prevented? That is the question being asked in the JustFish research project. Together with project manager Nofima, UiT Norway's Arctic University and the University of Manchester, causes for the fishery legislations being violated are investigated. This week the project visit "The Fishing capital" Båtsfjord, where a workshop with fishermen and industry is on the programme. Read more about the project here.

The Mannar Region Systemic Solutions (MARESSOL) project conducted by a coalition consisting of IUCN (Sri Lanka), LEF(Sri Lanka), SALT(Norway) and SDMRI (Tamil Nadu), is addressing the concerns of ALDFG in the Gulf of Mannar through 2 years of research across 17 study sites to understand the composition of macro debris in the region. The findings were stark; ~40% of all macro debris found along the Gulf of Mannar was abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). Furthermore, most of the gear used in Sri Lanka is made out of Nylon 6, a material that has incredible recycling properties and when effectively managed, has the potential to create circular economies. Through MARESSOL, a National Advisory Committee (NAC) chaired by the Ministry of Environment was created to address policy regulations, and registration of gear at the national level and steer circular solutions.

Together with our Norwegian and Finnish partners in the Interreg Aurora project "From labs to Landmark", SALT this week presented our feasibility study for digital, knowledge-based visitor management and dissemination in Northern Skandinavia.

While nature is the most important reason for visiting the region, the study shows a need for better information about nature, local life and culture, to prevent localized overtourism and other tourism-related problems. At the same time, digital solutions are seen as an attractive tool for reaching new visitors, extending their stay and reaching out with information.

Read the report here

Sign up for our webinar 19. February in cooperation with NIVA and IKHAPP. This webinar aims to uncover the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in combating plastic pollution and learn how technology can drive positive change for our oceans and rivers. The webinar is moderated by Carl Höjman, Business Area Manager – Marine Litter at SALT, together with Morten Goodwin, Professor at the University of Agder (UiA).