Marine nature and resources in Telemark - status, threats and opportunities

Summary

Telemark county municipality wishes to develop a coastal plan for Telemark. NIVA and the Institute of Marine Research have summarized an overview of previous studies that provides relevant knowledge for the development of such a plan. The overview includes the occurrence of marine resources, their state and the known threats they are exposed to with regard to human activities. Important international and national agreements and regulations that set the guidelines for planning and using the coastal zone are briefly described (i.e. the Rio Convention, the Nature Diversity Act, the Water Directive and the Planning and Building Act). In addition, opportunities for business development are discussed based on marine resources and values in the coastal zone.