An insightful article by CrossGov project partner Gunnar Sander highlights significant concerns about the inadequacies of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in protecting the coastal ecosystems. In Norway, 8 out of 10 seabirds have disappeared the last 50 years, and 16 out of 26 seabird species are on the red list. Despite such problems, coastal areas can be classified as having “good” or “very good” ecological status according to the WFD. In the Oslofjord, the historical low levels of cod and benthic fish are no obstacles for classifying parts of the Fjord with “good” ecological status.
Key takeaways include:
– Inadequate Measurement: Current metrics in the WFD exclude crucial ecosystem components like seabirds, fish, and marine mammals, leading to misclassification of ecological health.
– A missing supplement: Whereas the EU’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive may supplement the WFD in the coastal zone, thereby providing more holistic assessment of ecosystem conditions, the Norwegian ocean management plans do not apply to coastal waters. Thus, the large Norwegian coastal zone is left with the WFD as its sole ecosystem-based management instrument.
– A Holistic Approach is Needed: The Norwegian government will consider widening the scope of the WFD indicators. This will raise several other issues on how to achieve comprehensive ecosystem-based management for the coastal areas, like Norway has established for the oceans.
– Coordination and Knowledge Gaps: Better mapping, monitoring, and coordination among various systems and authorities involved in coastal management are needed.
– Independent Assessments and Accountability: While ecological conditions are professionally and independently assessed as input to the government’s ocean management plans, there is no similar mechanism for the coastal zone.
– Management without authority: There is no legal force in the Norwegian version of the WFD to require anyone to implement measures.
This article underscores the importance of a more integrated and robust approach to managing coastal ecosystems. As progress is made, it is crucial to push for stronger policies and actions that truly reflect the health of the entire marine environment.
You can read the full article (in norwegian) here.
