Marine Conservation in the Arctic: A Regional Perspective

The Arctic is warming three times faster than the global average. These rapidly increasing temperatures are already profoundly changing the Arctic – and will continue to do so – with yet unknown consequences for the region as well as worldwide. The diminishing sea ice extent and the changing distribution of marine living resources have led to an increase in economic interest in the region as well as concerns about the sustainability of economic activities in the Arctic. In order to identify ways in which conservation and sustainable use of the Arctic marine environment can be ensured, a broad understanding of the marine environment, the pressures affecting it, and the relevant regulations is needed. Ecologic Institute and the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies aim to provide an overview of relevant information through a series of reports on marine conservation in the Arctic. The reports focus on the five Arctic coastal states: Canada, Denmark (by virtue of Green-land), Norway, the Russian Federation, and the United States. In addition, a regional report is providing a broader overview and summarises relevant international and regional regulations. This current report presents an overview of information relevant to marine conservation in the Arctic.The report covers four main issues: it starts with the description of the key characteristics of the Arctic marine environment. Then it examines significant pressures impacting marine biodiversity in the region, followed by exploring the socio-cultural and economic role as well as the environmental impact of the main sea-based human activities in the Arctic. The last part of the report provides an overview of relevant international and regional agreements and frameworks as well as rules, regulations and tools which are, or could be, employed to protect the Arctic marine biodiversity and ensure its sustain-able use. NB: The information presented in this report was mainly collated during the global Covid-19 pandemic and prior to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The (further) political and economic impacts oft hese events and resulting changes in Arctic governance cannot be foreseen at this point in time and it can be expected that some of the developments and trends presented in this report may change substantially.