The Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs is in charge of:
- the fisheries industry
- the aquaculture industry
- seafood safety and fish health and -welfare
- ports, infrastructure for maritime transport and preparedness against acute pollution
Department of Aquaculture, Seafood and Markets
The department regulates the aquaculture industry (Aquaculture Act and Food Safety Act), including fish health and environmental impact. The department also deals with quality control of fisheries products and overseas regulations and monitoring of seafood for the entire production chain, including fish feed. Trade policy and market access, at the global (WTO), European (EU-EEA) and regional/bilateral level (EFTA), is another important sphere of the responsibility. Furthermore, the department contributes to enhance added-value of Norwegian marine products, which includes generic marketing funded by the industry and administered by the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.
Department of Arctic and International Maritime Affairs
The Department of Arctic and International Maritime Affairs is the national administration for the national and international development of electronic navigation systems, traffic monitoring and maritime surveillance systems and notification and information systems. The department is also responsible for port security as well as maritime transport and ports connected to the development of national and international transport corridors. The department coordinates the Ministry’s work in the polar regions, including the High North policy, the Arctic Council, the Interministerial Committee on Polar Affairs as well as the revision of regulations for ships operating in polar waters. It is furthermore coordinating the Ministry’s work on the EU integrated maritime policy as well as the EU’s maritime transport policy and EEA issues.
Department of Research and Innovation
The Research and Innovation department deals with research and innovation policy, regional policy and port and maritime transport policy, including the
National Transport Plan. The department is responsible for national budget work, audits, financial management, subisidy administration and performance management. The department is also responsible for supervision of the Directorate of Fisheries, the Norwegian Coastal Administration, the Institute of Marine Research, the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research, the National Veterinary Institute and the Fishery and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund, as well as governace of NOFIMA Ltd and The Norwegian Seafood Export Council Ltd. The department follows up Nordic cooperation and aid issues and is also responsible for the financing and operation of the infrastructure on Jan Mayen.
The Department of Marine Resources and Coastal Management
The Department of Marine Resources and Coastal Management is responsible for matters related to fisheries, the marine environment and coastal management. A wide array of issues is incorporated in the department’s portfolio – including quota negotiations and international fisheries agreements, IUU-fishing, coordination of environmental policies, capacity adjustment schemes for the fishing fleet, fishing licenses and permits, management plans, maritime safety and emergency preparedness against acute pollution. The department is responsible for the implementation and follow-up of laws and regulations such as Havressursloven (The Marine Resource Act), Deltagerloven (Fisheries Participation Act), Losloven (The Pilot Act), Havne- og Farvannsloven (Port and Waters Act), and Råfiskloven (The First-hand Sales Act).