The “Discard Ban Package”: Experiences in efforts to improve the exploitation patterns in Norwegian fisheries

Abstract

A source to long-term increased catches and profitability for the fishing fleet is the reduction of discards and improvements in exploitation patterns. This article details the development of Norwegian regulatory measures to this end, in particular the introduction of a discard ban and the Barents Sea programme of real-time closures of fishing areas. Actual benefits of this policy are outlined.