Environmental aspects of fisheries and aquaculture

Management of living marine resources

Norwegian management of living marine resources is based on unbiased, non-political scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR). The principle of sustainability is one of the pillars of the new Marine Resources Act, which entered into force on 1 January 2009. This Act will safeguard  that our living marine resources are managed also for the benefit of future generations.

 

Preserving the marine ecosystems

Norwegian managers work actively to preserve the marine environment and minimize damage to the marine ecosystems from fishing activity. Maintaining biodiversity, reducing by-catch and protecting vulnerable species and habitats are therefore focus areas in the Norwegian management regime. Norway introduced a ban on discards in 1987. illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing has been the focus of attention for some time now. IUU fishing – predominantly carried out by vessels flying flags of convenience or of states not exercising control over vessels flying their flag – was reduced by 60% in the Barents Sea from 2005 to 2007 as a result of several successful management measures.

 

Aquaculture management

The Norwegian aquaculture industry is required to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner. The industry is regulated through the Aquaculture Act, the Food Act and the Pollution Control Act, and in accordance with these laws environmental issues are addressed in both the licensing process and during operation. The aquaculture industry, research institutions and the authorities work continually to minimize negative interactions between wild and farmed fish and other parts of the marine ecosystems.

 

Coastal management

It is the responsibility of the coastal authorities to facilitate and ensure safe and effective sea transport off the Norwegian coast and to help ensure a satisfactory national level of preparedness against acute pollution. In accordance with the Pollution Control Act, the Ministry is required to respond to large incidents of acute pollution that cannot be handled by local authorities or private companies. The Norwegian Coastal Administration is responsible on an operational level for organizing and maintaining the governmental oil spill response preparedness and for coordinating the governmental, municipal and private industry’s preparedness in a national contingency system against acute pollution.