Environmental policy and regulation for oil exploration and shipping activities in the Barents Sea

The Barents Sea has one of the highest levels of biological production of all the world's oceans, and holds some of the largest fish stocks and concentrations of seabirds. Environmental conditions in the area make it particularly vulnerable to damage from human activities. Given the vulnerability of this ecosystem to the effects of human activity, and the fact that physical factors (e.g. reduced visibility, ice) increase risks due to oil exploitation and shipping activities, environmental authorities will work towards more stringent discharge limits and higher standards for emergency preparedness for both oil exploitation and shipping in the Barents Sea. The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority gives priority to preventive measures that can lower the probability of accidents and particular emphasis will be given to conditions attached to production licences and controls on activities in areas that have not yet been opened for petroleum activities. Within the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (the Rovaniemi-process), Norway has proposed that efforts should be made to improve the protection of Arctic marine areas, and further that a working group including representatives of all the Arctic countries should assess various legal instruments and possible measures, and make recommendations for action. Currently, no special international requirements apply to ships sailing in ice-infested waters, and the recommendations from the working group will therefore be of great importance in protecting the area from damage from shipping.