The scientific research vessel Baía Farta is expected to arrive in Angola in 2018 from the Netherlands, where it is being built, the Angolan Minister of Fisheries and the Sea announced on Thursday in Luanda.
Minister Victória de Barros Neto was speaking on board the Norwegian research vessel, Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, which has been conducting research along the Angolan coast from 21 September 21 and due to end on 14 November, and which on Thursday docked at the port of Luanda.
The minister said that the partnership between Angola and Norway in the fisheries sector will evolve into the development of data centres where scientists can interact and share research results by creating a more comprehensive and integrated approach for other ocean sciences.
She said that the Norwegian research vessels have contributed significantly to increasing knowledge of the oceans and the sea of several countries, particularly in Angola, since 1985.
Because of these campaigns, Neto said, the country has a data series of 31 years, which is considered to be a national asset that gives it information on the marine biodiversity and the scientific basis needed for a rational and sustained exploration of the resources of marine ecosystems.
The ship Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, with a crew of 15 Norwegians and Angolan technicians, is one of the largest in the world and its equipment makes it possible to map marine resources and determine the level of sea pollution, especially in terms of micro plastics.
In addition to fishery resources, the two countries also have cooperation agreements in the areas of oil, renewable energy and human rights, with Angola being Norway’s largest economic partner in Africa.(macauhub)