4 Measures for the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems

The purpose of the management plans is to provide a framework for value creation through the sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystem services in each sea area and at the same time maintain the structure, functioning, productivity and diversity of the ecosystems.

In geographical terms, this update of the management plan for the Barents Sea–Lofoten area focuses mainly on the northern/Arctic part of the management plan area. The update includes a particular thorough account of the marginal ice zone as a particularly valuable and vulnerable area, the implications of climate change for environmental status, and developments in human activities in this part of the Barents Sea.

Climate change is currently the predominant cause of changes that are influencing species and ecosystems in this part of the management plan area. Environmental status in the northern part of the Barents Sea is generally good, but the shrinking extent of the sea ice and declining seabird populations are cause for concern. In future, ocean acidification is also expected to have far-reaching impacts on marine ecosystems.

At present, the most important human activities in the northern part of the management plan are fisheries and maritime transport. Changes in sea ice extent are opening up opportunities for shipping to sail along new routes. Petroleum fields in the Barents Sea South are already producing, and new fields are under development and in the planning phase. Exploration activity started 35 years ago and is continuing.

4.1 Continuation of the management plan system

The management plans are a tool both for facilitating value creation and food security within sustainable limits, and for maintaining good environmental status. They clarify the overall framework for different activities and encourage closer coordination and clear priorities for management of Norway’s sea areas. Activities in each area are regulated on the basis of existing legislation governing different sectors. Through the system of management plans, Norway has been at the forefront in developing an integrated, ecosystem-based marine management regime. The plans are a clear expression of Norway’s willingness and capacity as a coastal state to ensure sound management of its marine areas.

An overall revision of the management plan for each area will be based on a thorough scientific assessment of business development, new knowledge, monitoring results and other information on long-term changes in ecosystems. An update of a management plan has a more limited scope, dealing with a restricted number of issues or part of the geographical area of the management plan. The Storting has previously agreed that the management plan for the Norwegian Sea is to be revised by 2025 at the latest and the management plan for the North Sea and Skagerrak at the latest by 2030. The Government is basing its work on this timetable.

The way scientific work on the management plans is organised has recently been simplified and made more effective to reduce the resources used by the institutions represented in the Forum for Integrated Marine Management and Advisory Group on Monitoring, the two scientific groups involved in the management plan work. Further steps can be taken to simplify routines and make them more effective to ensure appropriate use of resources and organisation of the work.

The Government will:

• Continue to use the system of management plans for sea areas.

• Submit a white paper on revision of the management plan for the Barents Sea–Lofoten area in 2020.

• Initiate work by the Forum for Integrated Marine Management on a scientific basis for the revision during the current parliamentary period.

• Update the management plans as needed.

4.2 The marginal ice zone as a particularly valuable and vulnerable area

The combination of high biological production and high biodiversity in the marginal ice zone led to its identification as a particularly valuable and vulnerable area. It is delimited using the line where ice is present on 30 % of the days in April, based on ice data for the latest 30 years. No petroleum activities are to be started up in the marginal ice zone. Recent sea ice data show that the updated delimitation of the marginal ice zone does not overlap with areas that have been opened for petroleum activities.

The Government will:

• Continue to use the present definition of the marginal ice zone as a particularly valuable and vulnerable area, using the line where sea ice is present on 30 % of the days in April to delimit the boundary. This delimitation is to be based on ice data for the 30-year period 1985–2014.

• Carry out the next update of the delimitation of the marginal ice zone as a particularly valuable and vulnerable area in connection with the revision of the management plan for the Barents Sea–Lofoten area in 2020.

4.3 Knowledge building

A sound knowledge base is essential for the further development of Norway’s marine management system. By strengthening basic knowledge about marine ecosystems, we intend to maintain and further develop Norway’s role as a knowledge-based maritime nation and a responsible steward of the seas. Sustainable management is a necessary basis for value creation from marine resources.

Climate change, pollution and a general rise in the level of activity in marine areas means that more knowledge is needed about pressures on marine ecosystems and how we can ensure that ecosystems are resilient. We need more knowledge to understand the consequences of environmental and climate change for Arctic ecosystems, and in order to set an appropriate framework for expanding commercial activities. Marine research is in itself an important part of Norway’s presence in the High North.

The Government will:

• Assess how it is most appropriate to coordinate and strengthen knowledge building about the ecosystems in the Arctic part of Norway’s marine areas. Research on the implications of climate-related changes in Arctic marine ecosystems must be included.

• Continue the work of mapping of the seabed under the MAREANO programme.

• Continue environmental monitoring of Norway’s sea areas.

• continue to develop the monitoring and information system BarentsWatch.

4.4 Strengthening international cooperation on conservation and sustainable use of the Arctic marine environment

Cooperation across national borders is essential for achieving good environmental status in sea areas that are shared between countries, such as the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean.

The Government will:

• Strengthen cooperation with the other Arctic states, including cooperation in the Arctic Council.

• Continue cooperation with Russia on the marine environment with the goal of developing an ecosystem-based management regime on both sides of the delimitation line in the Barents Sea.