The management plans give the overall framework for both existing and new activities in these waters, and facilitates the co-existence of different industries, particularly the fisheries industry, maritime transport and petroleum industry. The aim is to establish an ecosystem-based management of the activities in the relevant sea area. This means that all activities in the area should be managed within a single context and that the total environmental pressure from activities should not threaten the ecosystems. It is a goal that the state of the environment is maintained where it is sustainable, and that it is improved wherever problems have been identified.
The work is organized organised by an interministerial Steering Committee chaired by the Ministry of the Environment. Other members are the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry Justice and the Police, and the Ministry of Labour.
An Integrated management plan for the Barents Sea and the sea areas off Lofoten was adopted by the Norwegian Parliament in 2006. Further, a similar plan for the Norwegian Sea was adopted in 2009. The Government is currently preparing an integrated management plan for Norwegian part of the North Sea and Skagerrak.
All the management plans will go through a thorough revision at a chosen interval. For the Barents Sea and the areas off the Lofoten Islands a revision took place in 2010. The plan for the Norwegian Sea will be revised in 2014.
The management plans build on a comprehensive set of knowledge, but they also reveal that there are considerable needs for further knowledge. The knowledge base is therefore to be strengthened through mapping, research and monitoring. A monitoring group is established to coordinate the monitoring of the ocean areas, as well as a forum for environmental risks associated with acute pollution. A new monitoring system based on indicators, reference values and thresholds for action will provide updated knowledge about changes in the state of the environment. Based on registered changes, researchers and authorities will make cross-sectoral assessments and implement the necessary measures to improve the environment.
The programmes MAREANO and SEAPOP monitor sea bed conditions and the effects of human activities on the sea bed, and the dispersion of sea birds.
The basic aim for the management plan is to use ecological principles to assess the various activities, as well as their coexistence and potential for future development. Various activities comprising oil and gas, shipping and fishing activities and their possible impacts on the marine environment are considered. In addition, the potential influence of pollutants transported to the areas by ocean currents and through the air is monitored. Coexistence between the various commercial activities is a main objective, as is the sustainable use of the areas.