Government policy

Icelandic policy on ocean issues is based on maintaining the future health, biodiversity and sustainability of the ocean surrounding Iceland, in order that it may continue to provide resources that sustains and promotes the nation’s welfare. This means sustainable utilisation, conservation and management of the resource based on scientific information and applied expertise guided by respect for the marine ecosystem as a whole. The health of the ocean and sustainable utilisation of its living resources provides the main basis for Iceland’s economic welfare. In view of the importance of the waters surrounding Iceland, the government considers ocean issues to be central to its activities for the foreseeable future.

The Icelandic ocean policy is based on three pillars. Firstly, on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides a legal framework for ocean issues and a basis for the management, conservation and utilisation of the ocean area both within and beyond of Icelandic national jurisdiction. Secondly, on the principle of sustainable development, the basis of which was established at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. And thirdly, on the principle that responsibility for the conservation and utilisation of marine ecosystems is best placed in the hands of those States directly affected by the decisions taken and have the greatest interests at stake.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provides the legal framework for ocean issues. The Convention lays down the principles for relations between States, in addition to covering research, conservation, utilisation and management of the utilisation of marine resources. It also places obligations on States concerning, for instance, measures to prevent ocean pollution and participation in international ocean research. The Convention on the Law of the Sea ensures Iceland full control of marine resources in its waters and establishes the conditions for utilising them in a sustainable manner.

Sustainable development is a basic objective of the Icelandic policy. It entails taking full account of environmental, economic and social objectives when making decisions. The conclusions of the Rio Conference, together with the international agreements and action plans, which have been developed in its wake, lay the foundation for achieving this objective.

Responsibility for conservation and utilisation of marine ecosystems rests on the coastal state or states concerned, and the States that utilise the ecosystems. Having the right to utilise the resources of the marine environment carries with it the duty and the responsibility to maintain the health of the ocean and its resources, so that they can be utilised in to the future.

When more than one State is involved, such as in the case of a joint resource of several states, a regional solution shall be sought among those states directly concerned. At the same time, it is clear that numerous issues are of such nature that they can only be solved in a broader, international forum.

In international co-operation, the Icelandic authorities support the role of the competent regional organisation where appropriate, and reiterate the authority and responsibility of individual States and regional organisations in conserving and utilising marine ecosystems.

Discussions and decision-making concerning ocean issues may originate in individual States, regional bodies or global bodies. Iceland is therefore actively involved at all these levels.

The Icelandic government places emphasis on efforts to prevent marine pollution. This emphasis is made, for instance, through participation in the efforts of international bodies and international agreements. While Icelandic waters are relatively pristine compared to most other ocean areas, much of the pollution detected around Iceland originates from distant sources, making responding to it the common interest of Icelanders and other nations bordering on the Atlantic. Since pollution does not respect national boundaries, international co-operation and multilateral agreements are prerequisites for success in pollution prevention.

Sustainable utilisation of resources, based on the principles of sustainable development, is the key to rational and responsible conservation and management of living marine resources.

Management of the utilisation of living marine resources should be based on research, science based recommendations and the development of a legal framework that clearly reflects the concept and objectives of sustainable development. The marine ecosystem must be examined using a holistic approach, in order for Icelandic policy to include all aspects of marine life. It must be ensured that the utilisation of resources and other pressures on the marine ecosystem, for instance due to pollution, do not exceed what the ecosystem can sustain. The best way to achieve this is to develop practical applications of the ecosystem approach, applying it to management of conservation and utilisation of living marine resources.

Research and expertise need to be strengthened, if resource utilisation is to be managed rationally and responsibly with an ecosystem approach. The central concept of the ecosystem approach is to take into consideration the impacts of fisheries on the marine ecosystem and the impacts of the marine ecosystem on fisheries. Basic research on the ecosystem food web needs to be improved and increased. It is important that government policy formulation and objectives be realistic, and that the knowledge providing the basis for effective application of the ecosystem approach methodology is gathered and utilised for rational and informed decision-making. By maintaining the current emphases and objectives, increased knowledge can be used to improve resource management methods step by step as knowledge grows.

Information on the marine ecosystem and its sustainable utilisation needs to be made accessible. This includes information on sustainable utilisation of living marine resources, biodiversity, the characteristics of different ocean areas and species, monitoring of marine pollutants and contaminants in both marine catches and the sea itself, and the marking and traceability of marine products. It is important that the information is presented clearly and is accessible to the public on the Internet.

Iceland’s initiative in marine issues in international fora is of importance. To increase support for the principles of sustainable development, States should be encouraged to improve their management of the world’s oceans. In recent decades, a growing number of parties have become concerned with the conservation and utilisation of natural resources. There are now widening discussions on marine issues, pressing for improved management of the oceans and protection of their ecosystems. This is manifest in new multilateral resolutions and agreements, in the agenda and work of international bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and in the policies and actions of national governments. The Icelandic government devotes extensive effort to taking the initiative and participating in discussions, resolutions, projects and cooperation as part of the effort to maintain the health of the oceans.

Development co-operation in fisheries and sustainable development is regarded by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture a pressing and important issue. Support for the principles of sustainable development needs to be gathered in development cooperation fora through active participation in the discussions on the means and ends of development co-operation. Financial assistance for programmes in fisheries and environmental protection, under the auspices of multilateral development institutions, needs to be secured. Iceland has an extensive and varied experise in fisheries, resource management and marine biodiveristy that can be utilized to the benefits of developing nations. The Icelandic The Icelandic International Development Agency – ICEIDA that has worked extensively on fisheries related projects in several countries. Several students from developing countries have each year studied with The United Nations University Fisheries Training Program – UNUFTP which is based in Iceland and led by the Marine Research Institute in a formal cooperation with the Icelandic Fisheries Laboratories, University of Iceland and the University of Akureyri that has stenghened the links between the developing countries and Iceland.

Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture