Norwegian Strategy on Invasive Alien Species.

The Norwegian Strategy on Invasive Alien Species is a cross-sectoral strategy prepared with the objective to manage the environment in a way that maintains the diversity of habitats and landscape types and ensures that there are viable populations of naturally-occurring species, thus ensuring that biological diversity can continue to evolve. In addition, Norway aims to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010.
Invasive alien species are not only a threat to natural ecosystems and wild plants and animals, they have also had serious impacts on human health and the health of domesticated plants and animals. To generate a more sustainable ecosystem, and more efficient fisheries and food systems through strengthening policies and strategies to protect animal health, plant health and food safety from the negative impact of invasive alien species, a three-stage approach will be adopted:
1. Prevent the introduction of invasive alien species. Prevention is generally more cost-effective and environmentally desirable than measures to suppress or control already established alien species. Prevention includes general measures such as border control and quarantine measures to ensure that intentional introductions are authorized and to reduce the risk of unintentional or illegal introduction of alien species, information – including the exchange of information between countries and information to relevant authorities and the general public on invasive alien species, cooperation within and across national borders, for example on information activities, research and capacity-building in countries that do not have the necessary expertise and resources; and restrictive legislation on intentional introductions that must only be permitted with prior authorization under legislation designed as far as possible to prevent damage as a result of the introduction and spread of alien species. 2. Eradicate alien species Where it is feasible, eradication efforts will take place. Because the best opportunity for eradicating invasive alien species is in the early stages of invasion, while their populations are small and localized, the goal will be to detect new alien species in the environment as early as possible, and to act rapidly. 3. Contain and control alien species and monitor their populations If eradication is not appropriate or possible, measures to contain alien species (limit their spread) or control them (limit the damage they cause) will be taken.
Further, the precautionary principle and the principle of sustainable development will be used as a basis for management activities. The Ministry of the Environment has the overall responsibility for ensuring environmental policy coherence, and will therefore play a leading role and be responsible for following up the measures listed in this strategy. The Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs is responsible for the management of living marine resources and for the fisheries and aquaculture value chains all the way to the consumer. Monitoring measures are not part of this strategy.