Download Keeping the North Atlantic marine environment clean and productive

Conference Declaration
LIVING OFF THE SEA IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC
2 October 2003, Shetland
We, the ministers, government representatives and community leaders from coastal
nations and communities in the North Atlantic, share the common objective of ensuring
sustainable development. The North Atlantic Ocean is much more than a large body of
water separating Europe from North America. It is a lifeline and the link between a
diversity of coastal nations and communities, whose cultures and economies have been
formed by it, and who continue to depend on it in many different aspects of life.
To further promote cooperation in the region we met in Lerwick, Shetland on 1 and 2
October 2003, at the invitation of the Shetland Islands Council and in cooperation with
the Nordic Council of Ministers, to renew the dialogue which began in 2001.1 The
purpose of our meeting was to pursue discussions on how best to coordinate our
approaches to marine environmental protection, conservation of ecosystems and
biological diversity and the sustainable utilisation of living marine resources in the North
Atlantic.
At this, the second North Atlantic Conference, we have reviewed and discussed recent
developments on international, national and community levels to enhance the sustainable
use of the ocean and its living resources. We believe that effective marine management
involves the integration of environmental, economic and social considerations, all of
which are fundamental to ensuring sustainable development in our coastal communities.

Based on discussions during the Conference, we have identified the following
areas of shared interest and priority for further attention in our continued North
Atlantic cooperation:
MANAGING THE OCEAN – STRENGTHENING
APPROACHES IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC
INTEGRATED
The United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in
2002 reaffirmed the principles and recommendations for action adopted in 1992 in the
Rio Declaration and Agenda 21, including a continued strong focus on the importance of
oceans for sustainable development.
Of particular relevance in our North Atlantic context, the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation highlights the need to “strengthen regional cooperation and
coordination between the relevant regional organizations and programmes, the UNEP
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The North Atlantic – Nordic Conference on the Protection of the Sea and the Sustainable Use of
Living Marine Resources was held in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, 21 and 22 June 2001 and was hosted by
the Government of the Faroe Islands, in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers (see
www.northatlantic.fo).
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regional seas programmes, regional fisheries management organizations and other
regional science, health and development organizations.”
The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation encourages the application by 2010 of the
ecosystem approach, and stresses the importance of maintaining productivity and
biodiversity of marine and coastal areas, including protection of the marine environment
from the impacts of land-based activities.
Effective approaches to ocean management in the North Atlantic should take into
account not only the role of marine species as resources, but their role in general in the
ecosystem and the range of human activities impacting on the marine ecosystem as a
whole. This presents the scientific community with new challenges in the development of
the scientific advice on which management decisions must be based.
We believe that to help achieve these aims, existing regional cooperation in the North
Atlantic should be further strengthened. The work and priorities of North Atlantic
regional organisations for the management of living marine resources and the reduction
of marine pollution2, and their associated scientific advisory bodies, should be better
coordinated in order to promote ecosystem approaches. This requires, not least, effective
coordination between all relevant sectors on the national level.
In the on-going development of regional strategies, such as the European and Arctic
Marine Strategies and the Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development, full account
should be taken of the existing network of marine management and research cooperation
in the North Atlantic and the need for coordination with policies and actions in adjacent
areas.
Ensuring sustainable use of living marine resources in the North Atlantic
The importance for the North Atlantic region of conserving our living marine resources
and preserving and enhancing the knowledge and skill required to exploit them
sustainably cannot be overstated. The diversity of marine species in the North Atlantic
provides the basis for the significant contribution of our region to world food security.
As such, we have a common responsibility to cooperate in making marine resource
management in the North Atlantic work, not just for our own benefit, but also in the
interests of global sustainable development. We therefore reaffirm the goal of the
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation to ensure that stocks are maintained or restored to
sustainable levels by 2015.
The North Atlantic is characterised by a number of important shared stocks of living
marine resources, which migrate over large distances and straddle the zones of two or
more countries. We note the importance of cooperation between coastal states on these
stocks. In particular we note the urgent need for agreement between coastal states on the
management of the blue whiting stock in the Northeast Atlantic, which is being exploited
at levels which cause serious concern for the future of this resource and the fishery.
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i.e. NAFO, NASCO, NEAFC, NAMMCO and OSPAR and the scientific advisory body ICES
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North Atlantic fisheries jurisdictions have established, or are in the process of
establishing management regimes, based on sound and robust scientific advice, to
monitor and enforce management measures which adapt fishing capacity to the resources
available. This is the most important step in protecting ecosystems and thus creating the
basis for profitable fishing industries.
Integrated, ecosystem approaches to management can only be truly effective with full
consultation and cooperation between the users of the resources in all relevant sectors
and at all levels. Fishers, fish industry organisations, coastal communities and other
relevant stakeholders should be involved in the fisheries management process. This is the
best way to achieve practical and equitable solutions that can ensure both conservation of
the resources and economic stability in the industries and in the communities which
support them.
Keeping the North Atlantic marine environment clean and productive
The marine ecosystems of the North Atlantic, which are vital for the sustainable
development of our communities, are impacted by a range of factors which threaten their
health and productivity. Of utmost importance is the need for the global community to
meet the targets set out in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and other
international commitments to reduce the emission of chemicals and hazardous wastes,
radioactive substances, marine litter, long-range trans-boundary air pollution and
greenhouse gases.
There is a need to continue to improve the international regulation of shipping in order
to reduce the risk of marine pollution damaging habitats and destroying livelihoods, and
to allow the shipping industry to operate safely.
The protection of sensitive marine areas, such as coral reefs, nursery areas, and spawning
grounds, is already being used effectively as a management tool in many areas, in order to
conserve biodiversity and the natural production of important ecosystems. The
establishment of marine protected areas, as agreed in the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation, should be done on the basis of their value as a tool for integrated ocean
management.
In order to ensure accessible and authoritative information on which to base responsive
management decisions and actions, we reaffirm our support for the establishment by
2004 of a regular process under the United Nations for global reporting and assessment
of the state of the marine environment, as agreed in the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation.
FROM POLICIES TO PARTNERSHIPS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC
In the North Atlantic we look to our business and research sectors to take the lead in
developing and promoting technologies that encourage more efficient use of our valuable
marine resources, thus helping put policies into practice for sustainable development.
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Innovative fishing technology can minimise ecological impacts, while at the same time
enhancing economic efficiency. In the resource production sectors there is also potential
for further development of technologies that allow us to get more out of the resource,
increasing value and reducing waste.
Nordic Cooperation has for many years supported a wide range of cooperative activities
between research and industry in the Nordic Atlantic region, not least with a strong focus
on fisheries and the marine environment. The Nordic Ministers for Cooperation have
recently agreed to further enhance this focus by promoting and supporting broader and
stronger links between countries and communities throughout the North Atlantic region
in areas of common interest.
We welcome these initiatives and encourage the further development of active links, not
only on the national level but also on the community level, in order to ensure full access
to cooperative opportunities and participation at all levels across the North Atlantic.
In addition, we encourage the development of youth and educational exchanges across
the North Atlantic region. We must ensure that the younger generation has a clear view
of their own opportunities to learn from their neighbours and to enhance their role in the
North Atlantic region as central, not peripheral, in a globalised world.
We define and express our identities as North Atlantic coastal nations and communities
through our own unique cultures. Cooperation in the region can only be truly dynamic
with an active exchange of people and ideas in the fields of cultural heritage and the arts.
In this way we can continue to inspire and learn from each other, not only in areas where
we share a common interest, but also with respect for the differences between us.
FUTURE NORTH ATLANTIC COOPERATION

We encourage a continued active dialogue and exchange of information between
our countries and communities on our respective experiences, both positive and
negative, in the management of the ocean and its living marine resources and our
efforts to implement ecosystem approaches.

We urge fisheries management organisations in the North Atlantic and relevant
environmental organisations to join forces in further developing the ecosystem
approach and contributing to its implementation by 2010.

We encourage and support the continuation of this integrated process of political
dialogue on issues of common interest in the North Atlantic region. We are
convinced that there is great potential to develop stronger cooperation and
constructive partnerships for sustainable development between our countries and
communities across a broad range of areas.

We note the value of maintaining and building further on the network of contacts
and information established through the North Atlantic Conference since 2001.
We agree to establish an informal advisory group to consult on the further
development of cooperation through the North Atlantic Conference forum, and
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accept the offer of the Government of the Faroe Islands to provide interim
support.

We express our gratitude to the Shetland Islands Council for their warm and
generous hospitality and efficient arrangements in hosting the second North
Atlantic Conference, as well as to the Nordic Council of Ministers and other
sponsors for their support.

We accept the kind offer of Norway to host the next North Atlantic Conference
in 2005
Høgni Hoydal
Deputy Prime Minister
Faroe Islands
Brit Fisknes, senior adviser,
on behalf of
Svein Ludvigsen
Minister for Fisheries
Norway
Jacob Vestergaard
Minister for Fisheries & Maritime Affairs
Faroe Islands
James Sinclair
Vice Convenor, Orkney Islands Council
Orkney Islands
Simon Olsen
Minister for Fisheries and Hunting
Greenland
Tavish Scott
Deputy Minister for Finance &
Parliamentary Business
Scotland
Siv Friðleifsdóttir
Minister for Environment
Iceland
Sandy Cluness
Convenor, Shetland Islands Council
Shetland Islands
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