Marine Management
Knowledge-based management is a prerequisite for ensuring that the marine industries of the future can continue contributing to job and value creation — on a local, national and global level.
The complexity of the coastal zone, with its rich diversity of habitats, ecosystems and species, means that sustainable management requires commitment and knowledge to ensure future growth and development. Monitoring, dialogue and regulations are also imperative tools for ensuring a sustainable future, considering the multitude of interests, stakeholders and legislation that are found in these coastal regions.
Our projects range from mapping and analyses in coastal zone planning, to advice on the use and conservation of marine ecosystems. We also contribute to research on fisheries regulations and resource crime, as well as the development of local sustainability indicators and aquaculture management. Our interdisciplinary team can also manage consultations processes and facilitation of dialogue with the goal of creating increased knowledge and solutions.
The last five decades have shown how expanding fisheries technology, in combination with a growing global population, have, in some places, pushed marine life to and beyond breaking point. As a consequence, there is now a clear need to manage the situation smartly. Knowledge-based management is essential if we are to ensure that marine life and the ecosystem services provided by the sea, remain in existence for future generations. With new knowledge available of the ever-changing seas, there is a great need to bridge the gap between research and management. This to ensure that management is in line with up-to-date knowledge. Through our unique management expertise, SALT plays an important part in Norway’s development as a marine nation and also in exploring how our marine management expertise can be used around the world.
A large part of the management framework is laid down internationally through agreements, collaborations and negotiations between countries, while the practical regulations are largely determined at a national level or through local management processes. It is important to ensure that decisions are based on up-to-date knowledge and well-balanced consideration of the environment, food supply, jobs, coastal culture and value creation.
SALT possesses specialist expertise within fisheries and aquaculture legislation and contributes to increased knowledge of legislation as a tool in marine management. SALT brings an interdisciplinary approach to this exciting field through high levels of formal expertise and relevant experience of administrative bodies, research institutions, public office and special interest groups within fisheries and aquaculture.
Sustainable solutions for the future must be based on innovation and high levels of expertise, combined with knowledge-based management.
SALT contributes with our expertise in projects that aim to solve challenges in which the environment, industry, coastal communities, and management go hand in hand. This could include developing new, environmentally friendly materials for use in fishing and aquaculture equipment, solutions to manage fishing waste or measures to prevent marine pollution. SALT contributes by way of a holistic approach that includes knowledge development, communication and management.
Projects
Publications
News
On May 16th 2023, the Mannar region Systemic Solutions (MARESSOL) project hosted an international event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to present findings from the recently published report “Marine litter from Fisheries in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait – Knowledge basis and recommended avenues for change“. The conference was attended by more than 80 distinguished guests, both in room and online, ranging from government officials, NGOs, IGOs, private sector and academia. The conference was opened by a list of distinguished speakers, followed by a presentation of the report findings. Conclusively, a panel discussion was facilitated by Prof. Pradeep Kumara from the University of Ruhuna, followed by an open floor for questions and answers from the audience.
On behalf of the project partners, we thank all participants of the conference, and a special regards of gratitude to all the exceptional contributions from distinguished external speakers and panelists who contributed at the conference:
• Mr. H. M. K. J. B. Gunaratne, Director (Development), Ministry of Fisheries
• Dr. Ananda Mallawatantri, Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka (Environment, Climate Change, and Green Finance)
• Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Ms. Kalyani Hewapathirana, Director, Department of Fisheries
• Mr. S. Ranawaka, Director General, Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management
• Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe, Secretary, Sri Lanka Medical Association
• Mr. Sreeram Sirinivasan, Former Chief Project Director, Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company
• Mrs. Cecilie Lind, CEO, the Norwegian Retailers Fund
• Dr. Sandun Perera, program coordinator, IUCN
• Dr. Shamen Vidanage, Country Representative, IUCN Sri Lanka
Forbes Magazine discuss where Norway should invest to increase its circularity. One of the measures highlighted is the “Small Circles Concept” developed by SALTs Vilma Havas, our former colleague Jannike Falk-Anderson, now at NIVA – Norwegian Institute for Water Research, and Paritosh Deshpande from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Read the article in Forbes here Read more about the “Small Circles Concept” and download the three researchers publication, here at our webpage.
Photo: Unsplash - Naja Bertold Jensen