8 Economic and administrative consequences
This white paper discusses the further development of policy instruments and specific new measures. Management of Norway’s sea areas will be based on the best possible knowledge, and the intention is to strengthen the knowledge base for ecosystem-based management of the Barents Sea–Lofoten area through mapping, monitoring and research.
The economic and administrative consequences of the measures proposed in the white paper can be predicted with varying degrees of accuracy, but as the proposals are implemented, the consequences for public and private actors will be assessed in the usual way as set out in the Instructions for official studies and reports and the preparation of legislation.
Follow-up of measures that require allocations will be considered by the Government in the ordinary budgetary processes, and presented in the budget propositions of the ministries concerned. The Government will also evaluate the measures in the management plan in relation to other priorities. Follow-up of measures in the years to come will depend on economic developments and the budget situation.
The following is a preliminary assessment of the economic and administrative consequences of the proposals put forward in this white paper.
8.1 Assessment of measures for integrated ecosystem-based management
Integrated monitoring system for the Barents Sea–Lofoten area
The costs relating to the further development of the monitoring system for the Barents Sea–Lofoten area will be considered in more detail in connection with the annual budget proposals. A great deal of the work of developing the monitoring system will take place within the framework of the research and monitoring already being conducted in the management plan area.
The Marine Pollution Monitoring Programme plays an important role in building up knowledge about pollution and hazardous substances in Norwegian waters. Such knowledge is valuable both for management of ecosystems and species and for assessing the safety of seafood from Norwegian waters. Allocations to the programme will be considered further in connection with the annual budget proposals.
Mapping programmes
The Government intends to continue to improve the level of knowledge by continuing the MAREANO programme for mapping of the seabed in Norwegian waters. Such surveys generate new information on the distribution of habitats and species and on the pressures and impacts associated with human activity, and are necessary for developing tools that will ensure sustainable use of such areas.
In 2011, NOK 52.5 million was set aside in the budget for the MAREANO programme. The Government will consider the annual allocations for further implementation of the programme in connection with the annual budget proposals.
The Government will continue mapping and monitoring of seabirds in Norwegian waters, along the mainland coast and in Svalbard and Jan Mayen through the SEAPOP programme. The annual allocations for further implementation of the programme will be considered in connection with the annual budget proposals.
Knowledge about climate change and ocean acidification
Allocations for measures to improve knowledge on climate change and ocean acidification will be considered in connection with the annual budget proposals.
Knowledge about synergistic effects of different factors on the ecosystem
There is little information available on the synergistic effects of interactions between hazardous substances and between hazardous substances and other factors such as ocean acidification and climate change. Nor do we know the cumulative effects of the hazardous substances to which marine organisms are exposed. Ocean acidification and climate change also have effects on marine organisms, and there are considerable gaps in our knowledge about the synergistic effects of climate change, ocean acidification and hazardous substances. Knowledge-building in this field requires environmental monitoring and research, and the Government will consider priorities in this field in connection with the annual budget proposals.
Protection of the benthic fauna
The Government believes that there is a need for special protection measures for vulnerable benthic fauna, and restrictions on bottom trawling, which can damage vulnerable habitats on the seabed, are being proposed. This will be profitable and sustainable over the long term because it will protect areas that are important for marine biodiversity and that have important ecological functions, for example as spawning and nursery areas for commercial fish stocks.
Framework for petroleum activities
On the basis of seismic data collected in the period 2007–09, the Petroleum Directorate has surveyed and estimated the recoverable petroleum resources in 50 prospects in Nordland VI, Nordland VII and Troms II. The projected present value of the benefits of the development as a whole is approximately NOK 105 billion, based on an assumed oil price of USD 80, rising to USD 97 in 2030. However, knowledge of the geology of the sea areas off the Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and Troms is still limited, and the estimates of undiscovered resources are very uncertain.
Preparedness and response to acute pollution
The Government conducts regular evaluations of preparedness and response to acute pollution, for instance on the basis of lessons learned from accidents and clean-up operations. Experience gained from the operation to deal with the Gulf of Mexico accident is also relevant in this context.
8.2 Administrative consequences
The Government will take steps to simplify and improve the system for involving all interested parties. The possibility of replacing the Reference Group with improved arrangements for ensuring the participation and engagement of interested parties will be considered, and comprehensive information on work on the management plans will be published on the website www.miljøstatus.no. These efforts are expected to put less pressure on the public and interested parties.
The remaining measures are not expected to have administrative consequences of any significance.