Environment in Focus Vol 1.

Foreword

The Raet National Marine Park, on the south coast of Norway, is the newest addition to Norway’s marine protected area network. It is an area of great natural beauty, with a vast variety of plant life, animal life and geology. It is also an area with a rich cultural history and historical significance. Marine protected areas are essential tools to ensure healthy oceans. It is important that the management policies of these vulnerable and valuable areas are based on the best scientific information available. This report outlines an innovative and comprehensive new approach to support the development and evaluation of such policies. It includes the input of marine scientists, but also the input from the fishing industry, the tourism industry and a range of other stakeholders. In bringing a large set of experts together, we also recognize the local and traditional knowledge about

our marine environment. This report provides us with a solid understanding of the status and trends in the marine environment in the National Marine Park. It is the first time this method has been applied for state of the marine environment reporting in Norway. The good news is that the report broadly concludes that the Raet National Marine Park is in good condition. However, it also points out significant information gaps we must address, and areas where new management measures are needed. It is an important goal for the Norwegian government to make sure that our environmental policies are effective, and that any negative changes in the environment are identified promptly. This report makes a valuable contribution towards reaching that goal for the Raet National Marine Park.

Vidar Helgesen Minister of Climate and Environment

7 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE RAET NATIONAL MARINE PARK (SOUTHERN NORWAY)