Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Photo: Alf M. Sollund.

What Is the Arctic?

The Arctic is the area around the North Pole. But there is no simple definition of exactly what area the Arctic encompasses ­– rather, there are several such definitions.

Drawing the last lines

Reduced ice cover has given added urgency to determining the final unclarified boundaries in the Arctic Ocean. The rules for doing this are set by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Management of Living Marine Resources in the High North

The sub-Arctic waters of the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea – are home to some of the world's richest fish resources. 

Demarcation Agreement with Russia

Previously, Norway and Russia had overlapping claims on the shelf and zone in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean.

The obligations of coastal states

Norway has an important tradition for scrupulous implementation and compliance with the obligations of coastal states on its continental shelf and own zones as well as flag state obligations for Norwegian vessels.

Rights and responsibilities in the Arctic

While Antarctica is a land area and governed by a designated treaty, the Arctic Ocean is an ocean surrounded by national states. Although parts of the Arctic Ocean are covered by ice, the Law of the Sea applies in full in this area as in the other oceans of the earth. 

The Loophole and the Banana Hole

Arises because of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and fisheries protection zone / fishery zone can not go further out to sea than 200 nautical mile.

Maritime law provides predictability in the northern areas

A basic requirement for predictability and stability is that international law and the rules of international law are respected by all states.