Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss presents the government's business plan for Norwegian marine areas.
Photo: NFD.
The Norwegian government has introduced a comprehensive business plan aimed at improving the management and coexistence of various industries in Norwegian marine areas, it announced this week.
"The sea is important to Norway, and we have great ambitions for the marine industries. They create many jobs along the entire coast and are the starting point for world-class competence environments and some of the country's most innovative companies," said Norway's Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss announcing the plan, which outlines ten overarching principles for the sustainable use of Norway's marine territory.
"The aim is to develop existing industries and at the same time facilitate new, sustainable industries at sea," she added.
The plan addresses the increased activity at sea, which can lead to competing demands for marine territory, by focusing on coexistence, with the aim of ensuring that various marine industries can operate harmoniously.
"It is in the sea that we find many of the solutions for the energy transition. Offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and not least oil and gas resources that enable us to be a stable and predictable energy supplier to Europe. At sea, we are all in the same boat, so we have to see the big picture to ensure coexistence with the other marine industries," said Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland in a Norwegian-language government press announcement.
The business plan is designed to support the development of both existing and new marine industries, promoting job creation and sustainable value creation. The plan must also facilitate a green transition and at the same time take care of marine ecosystems, Norwegian ministers said.
"The industrial plan is an important supplement to the overall management plans for the marine areas. The management plans ensure that we use the sea in a sustainable way while at the same time taking care of the marine environment. The business plan will particularly contribute to good coexistence between the various business players who use the sea areas," added Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen.
Announcing the new plan, the government stressed that licensing and permitting processes for aquaculture and other relevant industries will continue as normal.
"The business plan does not change the responsibilities in implementing the sector policy. For several activities and industries, land is being allocated through license and permit regimes. These processes will continue," the government announcement reads.
In the business plan, the government presents a set of ten general principles for offshore area use, which is says are intended to ensure "predictability" for marine operators and form the basis for coexistence in Norwegian sea areas:
Facilitate efficient marine area use: Maximize societal benefits by using territory efficiently and encouraging multiple uses where possible.
Take marine nature into account: Assess environmental impacts based on the cumulative burden on marine species and ecosystems.
Pay attention to fisheries: Consider important spawning, rearing, and migration areas, and central fishing grounds in decision-making.
Facilitate marine industries in all sea areas: Assess potential commercial activities in all sea areas, including the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and Barents Sea.
Establish a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge base: Base decisions on current knowledge of marine ecosystems and socio-economic benefits.
Ensure early clarification of possible territorial conflicts: Involve relevant authorities early in decision-making processes to identify potential conflicts.
Ensure affected interests are involved: Engage stakeholders through open, coordinated, and predictable processes.
Facilitate a green transition: Promote marine area use that supports technological development and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Ensure the collection and sharing of relevant data: Require businesses granted marine land rights to collect and share relevant data, ensuring national security and intellectual property rights.
Consider coexistence throughout the lifecycle: Ensure minimal negative impact on marine nature and promote the restoration of areas after activities end.
The full business plan can be accessed here.
