Parliamentary White Paper 35 (2016-2017) Update of the integrated management plan for the Norwegian Sea.

The present document describes Norway's updated management plan for the Norwegian Sea. With this update of the management plan, the Government is maintaining a long-term, integrated marine environmental policy that is intended to facilitate value creation and at the same time protect the marine and coastal environ- ment of Norwegian sea areas. The document contains the following Chapters: 1. Summary: 2. Introduction – integrated, ecosystem-based management; 3. State of the Norwegian Sea environment; 4. Marine litter and micro plastics; 5. Ocean-based industries and value creation in the Norwegian sea; 6. Use of the Norwegian Sea and spatial management; 7. Measures for the protection and sustainable use of the ecosystems of the Norwegian Sea; 8. Economic and administrative consequences.
The Plan presents measures relating to (1) climate change, (2) spatial management, (3) good environmental status and sustainable use, (4) the knowledge base, (5) the exchange of information and experience, (6) further development of the management plan system; and (7) international cooperation. It describes how the measures presented in the 2009 management plan have been implemented and assesses the need to maintain them and to introduce new measures.
As regards (1) measures concerning climate change, the Government will: enhance knowledge of the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and how they interact with other pressures; further develop monitoring of acidification and climate trends and of the impacts on vulnerable calcifying organisms such as plankton and corals; and build up knowledge about carbon capture and storage in marine plankton and marine vegetation types such as kelp forests and eelgrass meadows.
As regards (2) spatial management, the Government will: assess whether areas where there are mud volcanoes, hydrothermal vents and methane hydrates meet the criteria for designation as particularly valuable and vulnerable areas; draw up a plan for further work on marine protected areas; continue work on the establishment of marine protected areas along the Norwegian Sea coastline; improve knowledge about species and habitats in deep-sea areas; assess the need to protect distinctive and rare species and habitats in deep-sea areas; propose new legislation on seabed mining; and continue to develop the digital mapping tool for the sea areas covered by the management plans.
As regards (3) measures to ensure good environmental status and sustainable use, the Government will take measures aimed at: protecting particularly valuable and vulnerable areas; ensuring sustainable harvesting of fish stocks; preventing damage to benthic marine species and habitats; safeguarding species and habitat types; improving the situation for seabird populations; improving knowledge about the spread and impacts of alien species in Norwegian waters; reducing marine pollution; ensuring that seafood is safe, among other things by continuing the monitoring programme for undesirable substances in seafood; combating marine litter and microplastics; and follow up the measures presented in the white paper on maritime safety and the preparedness and response system for acute pollution.
As regards (4) strengthening the knowledge base, the Government will: continue the MAREANO programme for mapping of the seabed in Norwegian waters; build up knowledge about ecosystem-based management and the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems; .improve knowledge about the prevention of accidents that may result in pollution; and improve knowledge about socioeconomic issues related to management of the marine environment; etc.
As regards (5) knowledge-sharing, the Government will continue the development of digital systems for information related to Norway’s marine management plans.
As regards (6) further development of the management plan system, the Government will publish a revised management plan for the Barents Sea – Lofoten area in 2020; and revise the integrated, ecosystem-based man- agement plans for Norway’s sea areas at least ever y 12 years and update them ever y four years.
Finally, as regards (7) international cooperation, the Government will continue cooperation on the marine environment under the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR).