Norway makes fishing vessel data accessible to the world

Norway to become first European nation to share its vessel tracking information on Global Fishing Watch map

Lisbon, Portugal, June 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Norway has become the first country in Europe to partner with Global Fishing Watch—an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency—and will share its vessel tracking data for the Norwegian fishing fleet on the organization’s public map.

The announcement was made at the second United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal where countries from around the world are gathering to mobilize action and innovative solutions to some of the ocean’s most pressing threats.

Under the memorandum of understanding, which was signed between Global Fishing Watch and Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries, Norway has agreed to share the vessel monitoring system data for vessels 15 meters or more in length on the Global Fishing Watch map.

“Wild living marine resources are a common good and belong to everyone,” said Frank Bakke-Jensen, director general of the Directorate of Fisheries in Norway. “When a commercial fishing fleet is licensed to utilize this common good, we are obliged and committed to share fisheries data documenting the environmental footprint of commercial fishing activity. We hope that others will follow this approach and share more fisheries data.”

“We believe that improved transparency of fishing data is necessary to reduce the risk of illegal fisheries and set the groundwork for improved compliance,” said Thord Monsen, head of monitoring, control and surveillance at the Directorate of Fisheries.

The incorporated data will span a total of approximately 600 vessels—all vessels 15 meters in length or more predominantly operating in Norwegian waters and the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Norway is currently expanding its VMS requirement to include all commercial fishing vessels, as well as increasing the frequency that vessels need to report their position—a requirement which will be implemented over the coming years in a phased approach.

“We’re seeing more and more countries embrace fisheries transparency, demonstrating their understanding of just how essential public data is to the effective management of fishing activity,” said Tony Long, chief executive officer of Global Fishing Watch. “Norway has taken a leading global role in the sustainable ocean economy and is using its experience and expertise to promote better ocean governance. By bringing its fishing fleet into our map, Norway is paving the way for other countries, including developed nations, to follow suit.”

Since October 2019 Norway has shared its VMS tracking information on the Fisheries Directorate website in support of transparency and as part of an effort to make government data public whenever possible. The partnership with Global Fishing Watch will help make its vessel tracking data more accessible to a wider range of stakeholders—a substantial benefit in the sphere of international fisheries management.

With a coastline of more than 83,000 kilometers, including islands and fjords, the fishing sector is a key element to Norway’s economic, social and cultural identity. Norway is the second largest exporter of fish and fish products by value in the world and is home to some of the most productive marine areas in the world. An influential voice when it comes to fisheries issues and a leader on blue economy issues, Norway’s decision to partner with Global Fishing Watch and amplify its vessel tracking data demonstrates how fisheries transparency can be adopted in countries where fishing represents such a significant part of the economy.

“Data can be a powerful tool in protecting the environment, as we have seen in our work on climate change. The more data we have about the ocean, the better we can protect it and the people that rely on it. Norway’s commitment to making fishing vessel data accessible to the world – via Global Fishing Watch – is a great step forward for ocean transparency,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and ​UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions. “Their commitment to data-sharing is a model other countries can follow, and it will help demonstrate the effectiveness – environmentally and economically – of sustainable fishing.”

Norway joins a growing number of progressive countries from around the world that are dedicated to advancing, and benefiting from, fisheries transparency, which include: Benin, Brazil, Belize, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Global Fishing Watch is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea. By creating and publicly sharing map visualizations, data and analysis tools, we aim to enable scientific research and transform the way our ocean is managed. We believe human activity at sea should be public knowledge in order to safeguard the global ocean for the common good of all. globalfishingwatch.org

Attachment


Sarah Bladen
Global Fishing Watch
+44 79 20333832
sarah@globalfishingwatch.org

OKX launches Block Trading as latest innovation for institutional and pro crypto traders

  • Block Trading is OKX’s latest innovation designed to allow institutional and professional traders to transact in bulk, without the risk of price slippage
  • OKX offers the only block trading platform for crypto that integrates spot and derivatives trading while supporting futures, options, and perpetual swap trading

VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OKX, the world-leading cryptocurrency platform, today launched Block Trading, which allows professional and institutional users to execute large, privately negotiated transactions off the order books.

OKX is the only crypto exchange to provide a block trading platform that allows investors to execute crypto spot, futures, options, and perpetual swap trades, as well as multi-leg combination trades, over the counter. When executing multi-leg trading strategies on the platform, traders benefit from competitive pricing and ease of use, including single-click atomic trade execution. Since trades are executed over the counter, traders avoid the risk of price slippage — the divergence of quoted sell price and actual sell price.

The OKX Block Trading platform is distinctive in that it allows users to integrate spot and derivatives trades on a single platform and trade multiple currencies in a single trade. It is also unique for its support of trading of perpetual swap, futures, and option contracts with popular altcoins, such as Solana (SOL), as the underlying. The platform allows for multi-leg combination trades, including future spreads, straddles and carry trades, among others.

Lennix Lai, Financial Markets Director, OKX, said, “As the crypto market matures and more professional and institutional investors enter it, OKX is introducing Block Trading to ensure these users have the tools they need to invest well. Block Trading on OKX allows investors to not only make large trades at more favorable prices, but to do so without the risk of their trading causing price slippage.”

To execute a block trade on OKX, traders first submit a request-for-quote (RFQ) that broadcasts their request to selected counterparties, who then offer a quote in response. If the trader accepts the quote, the trade is then executed off the order books via OKX’s trading engine. Investors can discover more about how OKX Block Trading works on OKX Learn.

Clément Florentina, CEO, Darley Technologies, said, “OKX has always been one of the most user-friendly exchanges for institutional traders like ourselves, with features like portfolio margin providing greater capital efficiency. Block Trading on OKX opens up additional opportunities for us to quote sophisticated, multi-instrument strategies, without the counterparty having to worry about slippage or execution.” Darley Technologies is a high-frequency trading firm that delivers market making and liquidity provision on a range of prominent exchanges.

Going forward, Block Trading on OKX will be expanded to offer bespoke strategies, further OTC products and integrations with Dei derivatives protocols.

OKX is the world’s most powerful crypto exchange for institutional traders, ranking second globally in derivatives trading volume. The platform was also the first to introduce portfolio margin mode for multi-currency margining with risk offsetting functionality, and offers 500+ spot pairs and 250+ linear and inverse perpetual swaps and futures contracts.

Find out more about OKX Block Trading here.

For further information, please contact:
Media@okx.com

About OKX
OKX is a world-leading crypto trading app and Web3 ecosystem. Trusted by more than 20 million global customers in over 180 international markets, OKX is known for being the fastest and most reliable crypto trading app of choice for investors and professional traders globally.

Since 2017, OKX has served a global community of people who share a common interest in participating in a new financial system that is designed to be a level playing field for everyone. We strive to educate people on the potential of crypto markets and how to invest and trade responsibly. Beyond the OKX trading app, our Web3 portal, known as OKX Wallet, is our latest offering for people looking to explore the world of DeFi, NFTs and the metaverse.

To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com

Pakistan urges developed countries to help address challenges oceans face

Pakistan has called on the developed countries to take lead in addressing the challenges facing the world’s oceans, seas and marine resources.

Speaking at United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN Munir Akram said that the world face global emergency of the Oceans.

He said financing, technology transfer, capacity building, as well as to enhance scientific knowledge and research especially to assist developing countries in protecting and restoring the Oceans are needed urgently.

The Ambassador Akram told delegates from around the world that Pakistan is planting 7.5 million mangroves in the coastal area to meet with the challenge of acidification and biodiversity degradation.

Pakistan is the current chairman of G-77 and China, which now has 134 members and is the United Nations’ biggest intergovernmental group of emerging countries.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Hamza Shehbaz to continue as chief executive of Punjab: Marriyum

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has expressed the confidence that Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz will continue as chief executive of the province after establishing majority in the re-counting of votes in the Punjab Assembly on Friday.

Talking to media in Islamabad on Thursday, she said under Article 130 section 4 of the constitution, Hamza Shehbaz Sharif is the chief minister of Punjab in continuation of previous election.

She said all decisions to be taken by Hamza Shehbaz Sharif as the chief minister of the province will be protected by the law.

Responding to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s announcement to challenge Lahore High Court’s decision about Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz Sharif’s election in the Supreme Court, Marriyum Aurangzeb said the PTI Chief is in the habit of denying facts.

She said Imran Khan, through his lies, wants to spread uncertainty, chaos and instability in the country.

The Minister said Imran Khan used state institutions, including National Accountability Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency, and Anti-Narcotics Force, to arm twist political opponents.

Source: Radio Pakistan

COAS calls on Emir of Qatar during official visit

Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa who is on an official visit to Qatar met Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah on Thursday.

According to ISPR, matters of mutual interest, defence and security cooperation, and regional environment were discussed during the meetings.

The two sides underscored the importance of further enhancing cooperation in all fields.

Speaking on the occasion, the Army Chief said both countries share great history of cordial relations and deep spirit of brotherhood, which are being transformed into an enduring partnership.

The Qatari dignitaries also appreciated Pakistan’s continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region and pledged to keep working for better relations between the two brotherly countries.

Source: Radio Pakistan

President calls for expeditious FTA signing between Pakistan, Switzerland

President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed the need for the expeditious signing of the mutually agreed upon Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Switzerland.

Talking to the outgoing Ambassador of Switzerland in Pakistan Bénédict de Cerjat, who paid a farewell call on him in Islamabad on Thursday, he said FTA would provide a formal framework for enhanced and speedy cooperation in the fields of trade, economy and commerce.

The President said the world community should take serious notice of the rising Islamophobia and polarization in Indian society.

He called upon the international community to take meaningful steps for curbing the incidents of terrorization of minorities in India and violence connected with Islamophobia to mitigate the sufferings of Indian Muslims and other religious minorities.

The President said that Pakistan could benefit from the Swiss experience in technical education and training in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Source: Radio Pakistan

‘Govt decides to form inquiry commission to determine causes of energy crisis’

The Government has decided to form an inquiry commission to determine the causes of energy crisis in the country.

This was announced by PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi along with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal at a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday.

He said the decision was made during a high level meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.

He said both the public and industry are facing load shedding due to imprudent policies and corruption of the previous regime.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the inquiry commission will be formed after formal approval of the cabinet.

He said proceedings of the commission will be kept open for media and the public. He said report of the commission will be made public. He said former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his ministers will be allowed to express their point of view before the commission.

Speaking on the occasion, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal lamented the previous government for not taking timely decisions which resulted into economic and energy crisis.

Source: Radio Pakistan