The Fisheries Training Programme (FTP) started in Iceland in 1998 and has 24 years of experience educating over 400 fellows from more than 60 countries. It was established under the auspices of the United Nations University. In 2020 the programme became a part of UNESCO through its membership in GRÓ International Centre for Capacity Development – Sustainable use of Natural Resources and Societal Change.
Talks of a collaboration between Fiskaaling and UNESCO-GRÓ’s Fisheries Training Programme began in 2021. Both parties believed that working together and sharing knowledge would benefit the fellows participating in FTP´s Sustainable Aquaculture specialist line. Additionally, that the collaboration would be beneficial when it comes to working towards capacity building in aquaculture in developing countries.
In preparation for the collaboration, representatives from the FTP programme visited the Faroes in May 2022. To get a better knowledge of the programme and meet the fellows, representatives from Fiskaaling attended part of the introductory course in Iceland.
In January 2023, Fiskaaling could finally welcome the first group of FTP fellows to the Faroe Islands. The fellows had a tight schedule with visits to salmon farming companies, the Food and Veterinary Authority, a seaweed farming company, a fish food manufacturing company and Fiskaaling. The group also visited the new Ministry of Justice for a courtesy call with Bjarni Kárason Petersen, who was recently appointed Minister for International Development Cooperation.
At Fiskaaling, we are excited about the opportunity to work with the UNESCO-GRÓ’s Fisheries Training Programme and are looking forward to exploring it more in the future.
