Integrated Ecosystem Assessments in Norway: Comparison over three different ecosystems

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As is becoming the norm in marine management, the Norwegian government has a requirement that the marine ecosystems around the Norwegian coast be monitored and assessed. Norway was perhaps slower than some countries to push for the integrated ecosystem assessments (IEA) and integrated ecosystem management IEM), because the current single and multispecies assessment and management is perceived to have worked well for the major stocks. Thus IEA (and IEM) are seen as desirable additions to existing successful management rather than as potential solutions to major problems. Norwegian IEMs are therefore not legally binding, but exist for counseling and advice purposes. Yet, the IEM for the Barents Sea, approved in 2005-2006, was one of the first IEMs in Europe and by 2013 all open seas within the Norwegian EEZ had dedicated IEMs. This presentation highlights the need for IEA and IEM to be tailored to the specifics of each ecosystem and management regime, rather than trying to following a “one size fits all” approach.