This year more than 650 young people in Norway have had the opportunity to spend the summer working in fishing through the state youth fishing scheme, with placements arranged either via municipal youth fishing projects or through family or personal connections.
This summer’s trial period for the younger generation is about to come to an end, as it lasts from mid-June to mid-August. Under the scheme, the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries offers young people between the ages of 12 and 25 the opportunity to participate in the youth fishing scheme – and this year 651 signed up to the scheme, which is administered by the Directorate of Fisheries.
‘The seafood industry needs more skilled people of all ages, and the youth fishing scheme in particular is important to ensure recruitment into the profession,’ said Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Marianne Sivertsen Næss.
‘I feel really proud and happy to see young people use the summer to try their hand at fishing.’
The scheme aims to boost recruitment into the industry and this year there are more girls than ever before taking part. The 227 taking part represent 35% of those who signed up this year to the youth fishing scheme.
Approximately half of this year’s participants are from Finnmark.
This year the Ministry has also made arrangements for young people to be able to fish for some unregulated species such as brown crab or flounder, and to be able to sell catches up to a vlaue of NoK50,000
‘I hope this will give them another leg to stand on when they go to try out fishing as a profession,’ Marianne Sivertsen Næss said.
‘The youth fishing scheme is a good way in for those who are curious to try fishing. Fisheries are of great importance to local communities along the entire coast, and there are many opportunities for people also in the agricultural industry and in the aquaculture industry.’
