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MAGAZINE Challenges 6 No. 3 Conservation 20 2017 THE CIRCLE Innovation 22

WALRUSES:THE BARENTS REGION GOING THEWITH URBAN THE FLOES?ARCTIC

PUBLISHED BY THE WWF ARCTIC PROGRAMME THE CIRCLE 3.2017 THE BARENTS REGION

EDITORIAL Looking to the future, building on the past 3 IN BRIEF 4 THOMAS R. ARMSTRONG Challenges 6 ALEXANDER VYLEGZHANIN and ORAN YOUNG Improving governance 8

Contents SVEIN D. MATHIESEN and MIKHAIL POGODAEV Arctic change and reindeer husbandry in the Barents Region 10 Saami in the Barents Region 14 MAP: The Barents Region 16 BO STORRANK Conservation 20 LARS GEORG FORDAL Innovation in the urban Arctic 22 TERO ­VAURASTE Driving sustainable economic development 24 ALEKSANDR PAVLENKO and ALEXEI GOLENKEVICH Protecting marine ecosystems 25

WWF IN THE BARENTS REGION IGOR­ ­CHESTIN WWF-Russia 26 HÅKAN WIRTÉN­ Sweden: opportunities in the Barents 28 DR. LIISA ROHWEDER Finland: protecting the lesser white-fronted goose 29 NINA JENSEN WWF-Norway: Battling to conserve the Arctic lifeline 30

MARGOT WALLSTRÖM In the eye of the storm 31 THE PICTURE 32

The Circle is published quarterly Publisher: Editor in Chief: Leanne Clare, COVER: Urban polar youth, Kiruna, by the WWF Arctic Programme. WWF Arctic Programme [email protected] Sweden. Reproduction and quotation with 8th floor, 275 Slater St., Ottawa, Photo: Michiel van Nimwegen, CC, Flickr appropriate credit are encour- ON, Canada K1P 5H9. Managing Editor: Becky Rynor, aged. Articles by non-affiliated Tel: +1 613-232-8706 [email protected] ABOVE: Great Cormorants sources do not necessarily reflect Fax: +1 613-232-4181 the views or policies of WWF. Design and production: (Phalacrocorax carbo), Lofoten, Send change of address and sub- Internet: www.panda.org/arctic Film & Form/Ketill Berger, Norway. scription queries to the address [email protected] Photo: © WWF-Norway / Frode Johansen / WWF on the right. We reserve the right ISSN 2073-980X = The Circle to edit letters for publication, Printed by St. Joseph Communications and assume no responsibility for Date of publication: unsolicited material. December 2017. Thank you for your interest in The Circle. Many of our ­subscribers have moved to an e-version. To receive an electronic copy in your email instead of a paper 2 The Circle 3.2017 copy, please write to us at [email protected] and help us reduce our costs and footprint. EDITORIAL

Looking to the future, building on the past

I HAVE HAD a personal connection to the Barents ecore- It is critical to learn from the Indigenous peoples of gion for over 30 years. My memories of this incredibly the region such as the Saami and Nenets. They strive diverse part of the Arctic include seeing walruses and to maintain their traditional lifestyles through reindeer polar bears living on the ice; the snow-covered mountains husbandry and fishing while enriching modern culture of Kola peninsula and Svalbard; watching whales and with their unique knowledge systems and experiences. fishermen in Norway’s waters warmed by the Gulfstream On behalf of its member organizations, the Saami Council and reindeer roaming the tundra of Scandinavia and Rus- outlines the role they expect to play. Lars Georg Fordal sia’s Nenets region. But there is much more to the Bar- writes about advanced research into alternative energy, ents than wildlife and beautiful landscapes. This region telecommunications and modern technology to benefit all has been inhabited for thousands of years, making it the the peoples of the Barents. most densely populated and developed part of the Arctic Tero Vauraste calls the Barents a model for sustainable with unique and exciting cultures. economic development in the north, citing numerous There are modern cityscapes such ambitious plans to develop off- as Murmansk, Tromsø, Kiruna and shore resources Vorkuta that support an array of as climate change industrial development including oil THERE IS MUCH MORE pushes sea ice and gas production, mines, power TO THE BARENTS THAN away and brings stations and nuclear power plants, access to what forestry production and large ports WILDLIFE AND BEAU- people call “new filled with commercial fishing vessels ocean.” The and processing plants. TIFUL LANDSCAPES Barents can be The Barents encompasses the only a global leader commercially operational trans-Arctic sea route – the in creating a sustainable Blue Economy Dr. ALEXANDER Northern Sea Route – linking western and eastern mar- integrating Sustainable Development SHESTAKOV is Director kets. Globally significant fisheries within the Barents Goals that benefit communities while of the WWF Arctic Pro- support food security far beyond the region. Traditional maintaining biodiversity and stewardship gramme fossil fuel resources are abundant and governments in of their rich natural capital. Achieving the region plan to develop new reserves. Iron, nickel sustainability will require national commitment as well as and other metals from the region supply global markets. a strengthening of regional co-operation. Oran Young and Meanwhile, climate change is having an impact in this Alexander Vylegzhanin disuss the Barents’ strong roots region, as in the rest of the Arctic, at a much faster rate in collaborative governance through the Arctic Council, than the rest of the world. Barents Protected Areas Network, the Nordic Council of This edition of The Circle explores these challenges Ministers and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. The new and opportunities. Thomas Armstrong addresses future Chair of the BEAC, Margot Wallström acknowledges that influences of the industrial sector within the Barents. Bo even though the Barents is the epicentre of the global cli- Storrank writes about the joint efforts needed to safe- mate crisis, there is enormous potential here. guard the biodiversity and ecosystem of the region, while WWF’s role is to navigate these changes, challenges looking at measures already in place under the Barents and opportunities. Each of our CEOs in the Barents will Protected Area Network. Aleksandr Pavlenko and Alexei update you in how they plan to work to the advantage and Golenkevich weigh in on improved fishing technology protection of all peoples, species and the environment for the sustainable use of the vitally important marine in this complex, multinational and ecologically diverse resources. region. l

The Circle 3.2017 3 IN BRIEF

time. The Guardian newspa- Scientists per reports the voyage under- scores how climate change experiment is opening the high Arctic to increased shipping. with oil-eating The tanker Christophe de Margerie carried lique- bacteria fied natural gas (LNG) from Norway to South Korea in 19 ARCTIC BIODIVERSITY CONGRESS 2018 TEACHERS AND STUDENTS days. That’s about 30% faster ROVANIEMI, FINLAND at Murmansk Arctic State than the conventional south- University have teamed up ern shipping route through OCTOBER 9-11, 2018 with WWF-Russia to identify the Suez Canal. bacteria that may help clean The tanker was built to take The Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) up oil spills in cold Arctic advantage of the diminishing (https://caff.is), the biodiversity Working Group of the Arctic waters. Oil-eating bacteria Arctic sea ice and deliver gas Council, is seeking individuals and organizations to provide could be particularly useful from a new Russian facil- abstracts, organize sessions and submit posters that will encour- in remote areas of the Arctic, ity on the Yamal Peninsula. age a dialogue on Arctic biodiversity among scientists, indig- where delivering oil spill It is the biggest Arctic LNG enous peoples, policy makers, government officials, students, equipment and removing the project to date and a favoured industry representatives and others at the Arctic Biodiversity collected oil is nearly impos- project of Russian President Congress 2018 (https://www.arcticbiodiversity.is/index.php/ sible. This technique has not Vladimir Putin. congress). been widely used, and has On its maiden voyage, the Submit via the online submission system by March 30, 2018 never been used in the north. tanker crossed ice fields 1.2m (https://www.arcticbiodiversity.is/index.php/program) At low temperatures, some thick, transiting the northern bacteria are inactive while sea section of the Russian CAFF in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment, Fin- many may not survive the Arctic route in just six-and-a- land, is organizing the Arctic Biodiversity Congress 2018 to pro- winter. half days. mote the conservation and sustainable use of Arctic biodiversity. Student scientists are The Congress is relevant to all who wish to make specific and researching which bacte- significant contributions to the conservation of Arctic biodiversity. ria are more tenacious and Norway The Congress will be held in Rovaniemi, Finland on October have the better appetite, and 9-11, 2018, and will build upon the success of the first Congress, under what weather condi- continues push held in Norway in 2014. tions they work best.

Learn more about the Arctic Biodiversity Congress program and into Arctic waters register (https://www.arcticbiodiversity.is/index.php/ register-2018) now. Russian tanker for more oil Please submit proposals for presentations, posters and/or clocks record NORWAY HAS ANNOUNCED it sessions that address the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment rec- will open an unprecedented ommendations (https://www.arcticbiodiversity.is/index.php/the- time through 93 blocks for Arctic oil report/report-for-policy-makers/policy-recommendations) and exploration in the Barents implementation actions (https://caff.is/actions-for-arctic- Arctic Sea. The new production biodiversity-2013-2021) by March 30, 2018. licenses are expected to be A RUSSIAN TANKER travelled awarded to oil companies Thank you for your interest in participating in and contributing to through the northern sea in early 2018. Norway is in the Arctic Biodiversity Congress 2018! route in record speed in many ways a forerunner in Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions. August and without an ice- preventing climate change breaker escort for the first with plans to replace gaso-

4 The Circle 3.2017 IN BRIEF

LNG tanker Arctic Lady, Norway.

WWF-Canada pushes to ban HFO in the Arctic Photo: Adrian Hu Follow, CC, Flickr Adrian Hu Follow, Photo:

THE INTERNATIONAL Mari- ticulate matter which absorb “The IMO is taking steps to Dumbrille notes that as time Organization (IMO) sunlight and hasten the protect the fragile Arctic eco- ship traffic increases in the has agreed to steps towards melting of sea ice. Its use has system, and the communities Arctic, the risk of an envi- phasing out the use of heavy already been banned in the that depend on it, from the ronmentally devastating spill fuel oil (HFO) in Arctic ship- Antarctic, and in Norwegian dirtiest and most polluting becomes more likely. “We ping following appeals from Arctic waters. ship fuel in the world,” says have an opportunity to end the Government of Canada, During a week-long meet- Andrew Dumbrille, senior the use of this toxic substance Indigenous participants and ing at IMO headquarters in specialist, sustainable ship- while ship traffic is still rela- WWF-Canada. London in July, the Canadian ping for WWF-Canada. “We tively low.” WWF wants the HFO is almost impossible delegation’s submission on hope this leads to an eventual IMO to phase out the use of to clean up because of its how to reduce the impacts of ban on the use of HFO in the HFO in Arctic shipping by thick tar-like qualities. Its air HFO received wide support Arctic. It poses an unreason- 2020. emissions have high levels of from all Arctic and several able threat to both the envi- soot, black carbon and par- non-Arctic states. ronment and human health.”

line-fueled cars with electric However, it is also pushing thinking?” said Nina Jensen, telling everybody else what vehicles; becoming carbon ever farther into the Arctic to head of WWF in Norway. to do. But for us, it’s not even neutral by 2030 and helping drill more oil. “It’s just a perfect example of business as usual; it’s escalat- poorer countries reduce their “It’s shameful. Future gen- the dichotomy of Norway as ing business as usual.” carbon footprints by giv- erations will look back and a leading, environmentally- ing them billions of dollars. ask what the hell were you conscious nation. We are

The Circle 3.2017 5 Challenges

The Barents Region is the most developed, populated and fastest growing part of the Arc- tic. While climate change is a strong global force, other forces might be more important locally. TOM ARMSTRONG says these must be identified and assessed so we can fully under- stand the overall impact of cumulative change to take successful adaptation actions and promote greater resilience.

THE BARENTS AREA was defined in meter. Although this is low compared to healthy, naturally functioning terrestrial 1993 as an area of political cooperation other areas of the globe, it is by far the and marine ecosystems. between Norway, Sweden, Finland, and most populated area above the Arctic Russia. It was extended northwards to Circle. The Barents Area includes size- CLIMATE AND ECOLOGY include Svalbard and Franz Josef Land able cities such as Murmansk and Arch- Climatically, the area is heavily influ- in the High Arctic, eastwards to incor- angelsk in Russia, Oulu in Finland and enced by proximity to the sea and its porate Yamalo-Nenets, and includes Umeå in Sweden. This region is home to high latitude, although the Gulf Stream the Barents Sea to constitute the overall many cultures. makes it warmer than other circumpo- Adaption Actions for A Changing Arctic In the Nordic part of the Barents Area, lar areas. Climate impacts on flora and (AACA) Barents study area (Figures 1 the services sector is by far the largest fauna are already noticeable, especially and 2). employer. Forestry is important in north- The area is ern Sweden, Finland and northwest Rus- Dr. THOMAS R. inhabited by sia, while fishing, oil and gas exploration ARMSTRONG more than 5 and extraction/transport are important RESILIENCE WILL ONLY is a member million people, in northern Norway and northwestern of the Arctic including many Russia. Conversely, the area is an impor- OCCUR IF SCIENTISTS, Monitoring and indigenous peo- tant source of hydroelectricity for local Assessment Programme ples, with an use and for export. Mining is economi- RESOURCE MANAG- (AMAP) Executive Secre- average popula- cally important in parts of each country, tariat, a Working Group of tion density of as is the issue of mine contamination of ERS AND POLITICIANS the Arctic Council. 2.9 inhabitants water resources and the related food web per square kilo- which are critical to the sustainment of COME TO AGREEMENT

6 The Circle 3.2017 Kiruna, Lapland, Sweden: View from the old mine to the new mine.

those vulnerable to changes in ocean species of prey can be found there, concentrations of seabirds in the world. water temperatures, acidity and other including reindeer, moose, red deer, roe climate impacts. The changing climate deer, mountain hare, and rodent spe- INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AND is also influencing hibernation periods, cies such as beaver, squirrel and voles. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON phenological changes and altering com- Resident predators include the Eurasian WILDLIFE AND ECOLOGY plex food webs. lynx, Stoat, European otter, Wolverine, Changes related to increased industrial Ecologically, the area is largely boreal Gray Wolf, Red Fox and Brown Bear. activity and areal growth include: forest (54%); alpine and Arctic tundra The Barents Sea hosts more than 200 (20%); mountain glaciers (4%); fresh- species of fish, with Capelin Polar Cod 1) continued expansion of industry- water lakes and rivers (10%), and open and juvenile herring being two of the related land-use and land-cover change wetlands (12%). The boreal forest is rel- most commercially exploited. The Bar- and associated fragmentation of key atively low in animal species but many ents also supports some of the largest terrestrial species’ habitat; ➤

Arctic Ocean

Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug

Franz Josef land Bering- Kara Sea Chukchi Beaufort Novaya Zemlya Svalbard Barents

Barents Sea LME Nenets

Autonomous OkrugKomi Republic

Finmark Murmansk oblast Baffin Troms Arkhangelsk oblast Bay Norwegian Sea Lappland

Norrbotten Oulu Republic Davis of Karelia Strait Nordland Västerbotten

Figure 1. Circum-Arctic map detailing the extent of the AACA Figure 2. The Barents Area of the AACA. Regional Pilot Studies.

The Circle 3.2017 7 Improving governance The Barents Sea region stands out as one of the bet- ter-governed eco-political marine regions. ALEXANDER VYLEGZHANIN and ORAN YOUNG tell us why.

LOCATED TO THE NORTH of Norway and the European part of the Russian Feder- ation, the Barents comprises areas large- ly under the jurisdiction of those states. Although there are numerous ways to delineate its boundaries, the Barents region encompasses an area of ~3 mil- lion kilometres. It is distinct from other marine regions at high latitudes because the bulk of the Barents region has been Photo: Michiel van Nimwegen, CC, Flickr ice free, year-round in modern times. Predators in the Barents Region include the Eurasian lynx, Stoat, European otter, Regional, bilateral cooperation Wolverine (pictured), Gray Wolf, Red Fox and Brown Bear. between Norway and Russia dealing with matters of common concern, espe- cially fisheries management, began in ➤ 2) increased contamination of critical increased resilience over the next few the 1950s. The 2010 Barents Sea Treaty lands and associated surface water and decades will only occur if scientists, on boundary delimitation resolved a ground water resources; resource managers and politicians come longstanding dispute over jurisdiction 3) continued degradation of marine to agreement on the role that the dif- in the central part of the Barents Sea, environments that serve as breeding ferent change agents, such as climate solidifying and extending international grounds for key fish and marine mam- change, population increase and related cooperation. Today, three bilateral mal species; land-use change and land-cover change mechanisms dealing with fisheries, 4) declines in overall biodiversity within are going to have on the Arctic’s remain- hydrocarbon deposits, and environmen- areas currently rich in these species; ing species, ecosystems, biodiversity tal protection handle governance in the 5) ocean acidification and warming and unspoiled natural resources. Barents. The International Council for which alters complex food webs and the Substantial investment into well- the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) pro- concentrations of fish species critical integrated science, grounded with the vides scientific advice especially regard- to indigenous people’s needs as well as long-standing information of traditional ing annual allowable harvest levels for commercially viable food sources. knowledge is critically needed. Oth- major fisheries. erwise, successful adaptation actions Some key changes need to be CONCLUSIONS related to sustainability and welfare acknowledged, including fluctuations in These changes, along with many oth- of natural ecological systems will not the abundance and spatial distribution ers, will need to be considered during occur and will follow the typical course of key stocks of living resources (e.g. the early onset of any new Barents areal of most policy and other decisions that Northeast Arctic Cod) and the spread assessments; including future iterations rely largely on political bias rather than of species not native to the region (e.g. of the AACA process, currently under on sound, objective scientific knowledge snow crabs). Other important changes discussion. Successful adaptation and and subsequent actions. l are the growth of functionally distinct

8 The Circle 3.2017 International Maritime Organization. The key concern here is the need for an integrated governance system capable of weighing trade-offs among competing human activities and making decisions on a more synoptic basis. Overarching these concerns is the issue of creating or enlarging marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Barents Sea Region. There are already sizable protected areas in the Svalbard Archi- pelago under Norwegian jurisdiction and Frans Josefs Land under Russian jurisdiction. Norway and (increasingly) Russia make use of ecosystem-based management in their policy processes, and the Joint Commission on Environ- mental Protection plays an advocacy role in efforts to protect the ecosys- tems of the region. With ALEXANDER the growth VYLEGZHANIN Photo: Michiel van Nimwegen, CC, Flickr of human is professor Fisherwoman Mari-Ann Johansen, Norway. activities in and head of the the Barents, Department of however, calls International Law, Moscow for more MPAs State Institute of Interna- human activities that interact with one nism for recognizing the interests of har- are increas- tional Relations (MGIMO another in important ways. vesters not associated with the coastal ing. Various University). Natural fluctuations in Northeast states. groups, includ- Arctic Cod stocks have led ICES to While fisheries remain the primary ing WWF, ORAN YOUNG recommend reductions in allowable human activity in this region, interest in have identified is professor harvest levels for 2017 and 2018. Shifts exploiting Barents Sea hydrocarbons is priority areas emeritus & co- in the spatial distribution of cod have rising, with the volume of commercial for some form director of the increased opportunities for fishers from shipping thus generating additional of protection. A Program on third states to harvest fish in “the loop- environmental risks. The Barents Sea key issue now Governance hole,” encompassing waters beyond the itself has large deposits of hydrocar- concerns the for Sustainable Develop- Exclusive Economic Zones of the coastal bons, and shipments of liquefied natural development of ment at the Bren School of states. This has resulted in quotas that gas (LNG) from the Port of Sabetta on a governance Environmental Science & exceed ICES recommendations, opened the Yamal Peninsula passing through system that will Management, University of opportunities for Faroese and Icelandic the region are expected to ramp up sub- ensure deci- California (Santa Barbara) fishers in the region, and increased pres- stantially. Hydrocarbon development is sions about sure to devise a more explicit mecha- a politically sensitive issue both in Nor- these matters way and the Russian Federation. Shifts are integrated with decisions dealing in world market prices could intensify with fisheries, hydrocarbon develop- these concerns in short order. ment, and shipping. l THE BARENTS SEA RE- Governance arrangements in the region are currently segmented along n The U.S. National Science Founda- GION STANDS OUT AS functional lines. Fisheries and hydro- tion supported this work through the Arctic ONE OF THE BETTER- carbons are handled through separate Options Project (NSF-OPP1263819) and Norwegian-Russian arrangements; the Pan-Arctic Options Project (NSF-ICER GOVERNED ECOPOLITI- commercial shipping is subject to regu- 1660449). latory measures (e.g. the Polar Code) CAL MARINE REGIONS negotiated under the auspices of the

The Circle 3.2017 9 Arctic change and reindeer husbandry in the Barents region Environmental and social changes in Saami and Nenets reindeer husbandry are sweeping the Barents region and more are expected. The biggest driver of change, write SVEIN D. MATHIESEN and MIKHAIL POGODAEV, is infrastructure development on lands used by reindeer herders in Sweden, Norway, Finland and some parts of Russia. Climate change is another increasing threat to traditional livelihoods with global and regional scenarios projecting changes in temperature, precipitation and snow conditions in important reindeer pastures. ➤

10 The Circle 3.2017 Nenets reindeer herdsman Alek Sulentiev feeding his pet reindeer from the kitchen win- Widstrand / WWF Photo: © Staffan dow of the family’s tent, Kánin Peninsula, Russia, Arctic.

The Circle 3.2017 11 Nenets reindeer herders migrating across Yamal peninsula on their way to the coast and rich sum- mer pastures.

➤ THE IMPACTS of these changes on indig- building socio-ecological resilience and delivery of education in reindeer enous peoples are exacerbated because against the rapid changes in Arctic herding communities that are multi- they don’t have a voice in the develop- ecosystems. We need new methods disciplinary, multicultural and holistic ment of adaptation tools and strategies approaches for sustainable development for planning and development. There- and which include traditional and gen- fore, reindeer husbandry must develop der knowledge. Meaningful collabora- adaptation strategies that recognize the REINDEER HUSBANDRY tion between traditional knowledge value of traditional knowledge in the and science is key to creating successful management of reindeer husbandry MUST DEVELOP AD- adaptation strategies. while at the same time using the best Contributing to the erosion of resil- practices developed from science. APTATION STRATE- ience in herding communities is the Adaptation to changes in reindeer GIES THAT RECOGNIZE explosion of research which fails to herding will require future Arctic lead- involve indigenous peoples’ institutions ers to be knowledgeable and aware of THE VALUE OF TRADI- and organizations, and can be seen long-term sustainability for reindeer as a new kind of knowledge extract- husbandry. This must be the basis for TIONAL KNOWLEDGE ing industry. In future, the University

12 The Circle 3.2017 Distibution of reindeer husbandry in the Barents Region

Norway

Sweden

Finland

Russia

MAP: Ketill Berger, Film & Form, filmform.no

There is a need to further develop ecological resil- multidisciplinary indigenous trans- ience assess- SVEIN D. boundary institutions to meet the effect ments examin- MATHIESEN of these changes. Knowledge held by ing the complex works at the reindeer herders is key to their future systems of how International economic sustainability. With a chang- people and Reindeer ing climate and increased industrial nature persist, Husbandry Center, Kau- development, reindeer husbandry’s adapt and tokeino, Norway heading ability to adapt will decline if their own transform in the University of the Arctic traditional knowledge about pastures, the face of Arc- Institute for Circumpolar environment and reindeer is not used. tic change. Reindeer Husbandry. We are heading toward a tipping All levels of point for some communities and we government MIKHAIL POGO- need to rigorously examine the protec- need to make a DAEV is Chair tion and sustainable management of strong commit- of the World critical natural resources for the practice ment to the sur- Reindeer Herd- of the Arctic could play a new role in of traditional livelihoods. The complex- vival of Indige- ers Association, bridging knowledge systems by increas- ity of the threats to reindeer husbandry nous languages. which unites ing cooperation between academia and and their far-reaching consequences Language loss 24 indigenous reindeer indigenous institutions, networks and demand impact assessments that evolve has a direct cor- herding peoples across organizations. into more holistic and long-term, social- relation to the the circumpolar north. He loss of practical is also President of the skills, coping, UArctic EALAT Institute n The UArctic Institute of Circumpolar Reindeer Husbandry (UArctic EALÁT Institute) and ultimately, for Circumpolar Reindeer is one of three institutes reporting directly to the board of the University of the Arctic biodiversity Husbandry with 12 academic partners in the Circumpolar North. Its mandate is to increase public itself. Finally, understanding of Arctic issues and challenges for indigenous peoples and reindeer it is important husbandry. This includes monitoring, and greater educational and research capacity to engage youth in practical reindeer for Arctic peoples – particularly indigenous and reindeer herding peoples. The institute husbandry and strengthen the training is re-envisioning traditional knowledge to enhance the socio-ecological resilience and of local leaders in long-term sustainable ability of small communities to navigate and adapt to the consequences of rapid Arctic thinking. l change.

The Circle 3.2017 13 Reindeer herder, Lapland; Sweden

14 The Circle 3.2017 Saami in the Barents Region Sápmi, the traditional lands of the Saami people, lies in the northernmost regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. For many centuries, the main traditional activities of the Saami have been reindeer herding, fishing, gather- ing of wild plants and traditional art.

THE SAAMI COUNCIL is a voluntary organ- ization with member organizations in THE SAAMI COUNCIL each of these countries including a large part of the politically-defined Barents STILL HAS GREAT CON- Region. Established in 1956, the Saami CERN ON THE POINT OF Council is one of the oldest active Indig- enous peoples´ organizations in the SELF-DETERMINATION world. Its primary objective is to safe- guard Saami interests and strengthen FOR THE SAAMI PEOPLE Saami solidarity across national borders as one people and as Indigenous people. The council also works to ensure Saami national borders. It is expected the cultural, political, economic, civil, social Convention would establish a joint legal and spiritual rights are legally protected framework for Finland, Norway and nationally and internationally. Sweden, that conforms with standards Every four years the Saami Council set by international law and adapted to hosts a conference. During the 1986 the Nordic Saami setting. conference in Sweden, the concept of This process has been complex and a Nordic Saami Convention was pro- taken decades of negotiations. In Janu- posed. This Convention would ensure ary 2017, a proposed draft was pre- that the Saami people can maintain, sented and is being discussed by state practice and develop their culture across governments and the Saami Parlia- 18 ➤

The Circle 3.2017 15 Photo: Michiel van Nimwegen, CC, Flickr a S e a K a r The Barents Region Snøhvit Goliat

S E A N I A E G W R O N Tromsø

E A Vadsø N T S S a er B A R E e iv S R r a Prirazlomnoye Finnmark ) o na e c h (Ta P Troms tnu ea D

Bodø

Murmansk Nenets Autonomous Okrug Mo i Rana Naryan Mar Lapland Nordland Indiga

Murmanskaya Oblast Norrbotten Rovaniemi Kandalaksha NORWAY Luleå Kemi Västerbotten Northern Skellefteå Ostrobothnia Oulu W h i t e S e a

A I Umeå N H Oulu SWEDEN T O Severodvinsk Archangel B Republic of Komi

F O Ukhta

F L U G FINLAND North Vologodskaya Oblast Karelia Republic of Karelia PROTECTED AREAS PETROLEUM FIELDS Joensuu Marine Areas with known oil and gas fields Terrestial Fields in production Syktyvkar FISHERIES Petrozavodsk Important spawning areas PETROLEUM PIPELINES Main trawling areas Gas Oil POLLUTION Oil, planned SOURCE: Environmental damage Natural Earth, Grid Arendal, Lyubin et al., 2011, caused by severe air pollution https://theodora.com/pipelines/russia_ukraine_ POLITICAL belarus_baltic_republics_pipelines_map.jpg, Dumping area nuclear waste Exclusive economic zone The World Database on Protected Areas, https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mineral-resources/minfac.html City Nuclear bomb test Village 0 100 200 300 km Nuclear power plant RUSSIA County Mines Map: Ketill Berger, filmform.no a S e a K a r Snøhvit

Goliat

S E A N I A E G W R O N Tromsø

E A Vadsø N T S S a er B A R E e iv S R r a Prirazlomnoye Finnmark ) o na e c h (Ta P Troms tnu ea D

Bodø

Murmansk Nenets Autonomous Okrug Mo i Rana Naryan Mar Lapland Nordland Indiga

Murmanskaya Oblast Norrbotten Rovaniemi Kandalaksha NORWAY Luleå Kemi Västerbotten Northern Skellefteå Ostrobothnia Oulu W h i t e S e a

A I Umeå N H Oulu SWEDEN T O Severodvinsk Archangel B Republic of Komi

F O Ukhta

F L U G FINLAND North Vologodskaya Oblast Karelia Republic of Karelia PROTECTED AREAS PETROLEUM FIELDS Joensuu Marine Areas with known oil and gas fields Terrestial Fields in production Syktyvkar FISHERIES Petrozavodsk Important spawning areas PETROLEUM PIPELINES Main trawling areas Gas Oil POLLUTION Oil, planned SOURCE: Environmental damage Natural Earth, Grid Arendal, Lyubin et al., 2011, caused by severe air pollution https://theodora.com/pipelines/russia_ukraine_ POLITICAL belarus_baltic_republics_pipelines_map.jpg, Dumping area nuclear waste Exclusive economic zone The World Database on Protected Areas, https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mineral-resources/minfac.html City Nuclear bomb test Village 0 100 200 300 km Nuclear power plant RUSSIA County Mines Map: Ketill Berger, filmform.no The Circle 3.2017 17 Distribution of the Sami languages

The Saami people, their language and culture stretch across national borders

E C L I R C C C T I A R T H E

Norway T H E

B N Finland A O R E G I Sweden N T S R E

Russia

MAP: Ketill Berger, Film & Form, filmform.no

15 ➤ ments. The Saami Council, which initi- created, thereby violating the traditional offered as an elective class at schools. ated the concept of a Saami Convention, Saami way of life. There is some revival Saami is used less and less in everyday still has great concern on the point of of private reindeer herding in the Mur- life, contributing to the breakdown self-determination for the Saami people. mansk region and traditional lifestyles between generations. The Convention states that the Saami are carried out by both family (tribal) The Saami Parliament is also involved peoples’ right to self-determination is and territorial communities. Unfortu- in negotiations over the regulation of covered through consultation processes, nately, young people are reluctant to fisheries in the Deatnu River, which but the Saami Council maintains such work in reindeer husbandry: the unset- forms part of the border between Nor- consultation is not according to interna- tled nature of life on the tundra and way and Finland. The Deatnu holds tional standards. the desire to be closer to urban centers rich Saami traditions for the people and The Russian Saami are not included are turning most away from traditional fisheries on both sides of the border. in this Convention but are represented lifestyles. Finland and Norway ratified the Deatnu by the Russian Association of Indig- With the support of the Russian state River Agreement in 2017, regulating enous Peoples of the North. However, which grants subsidies at the federal fishing in what is Europe’s largest salm- there are numerous issues related to and regional levels, traditional commu- on river. But this new agreement vio- Saami language and traditional activi- nities are developing with some engaged lates Saami cultural and property rights ties that are of common concern for all in fishing both on inland waters and at by restricting traditional fishing prac- Saami peoples throughout the Barents sea. The Saami are allocated a quota for tices. The Saami and other people in the region. their catch of sea fish such as cod and region united against these negotiations Issues specific to the Saami in Mur- haddock as well as other types of fish in that took place without legally-required mansk include the decline of private inland waters. Saami involvement and consultation. reindeer husbandry, which – in the Another critically important issue The Deatnu case is yet another example times of the Soviet Union – was liqui- for the Kola Saami is the preservation of the lack of Saami self-determination. dated and a collective state farm was of their native language, which is only There is a resurgence in the develop-

18 The Circle 3.2017 Saami woman in traditional dress shopping in a supermarket, Kautokeino, Finnmark, Norway. Photo: © Staffan Widstrand / WWF Photo: © Staffan

ment of Sami art and needlework across the Sápmi. Many master Sami artisans and craftspeople willingly engage in making products from deer antlers, bones, fur, leather, as well as fish skin and wood. The Saami culture is inter- nationally recognized and many Saami public associations in the Murmansk region actively work to preserve and develop traditional skills and knowl- edge. The Cultural Committee of the Saami Council offers financial support for various activities such as festivals, seminars, conferences, book publishing, film making and music recording. This close cooperation in cultural and social life is reaping excellent results in pre- serving the rich and diverse culture of the Saami people. l

n Contributed by the Saami Councils of Fin- land, Norway, Sweden and Russia Reindeer race, Tromsø, Norway. Photo: Bjarte Aarmo Lund, CC, Flickr.com Photo: Bjarte

The Circle 3.2017 19 boundary cooperation is to contribute to the fulfilment of the Aichi Biodiversity Conservation Targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The ecosystems of the Barents Region are diverse and In 2011-2014, national and regional include large areas of boreal forests or taiga, as well as authorities, scientific institutes and non-governmental organizations from vast areas of wetlands and tundra. BO STORRANK looks at Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia how to protect and preserve these resources. implemented the Barents Protected Area Network (BPAN www.bpan.fi). The project produced unified informa- THE REGION HAS a diverse coastline diversity and ecosystem services of the tion on protected areas in the Barents bordering the Norwegian, Barents, Kara region. The Barents Euro-Arctic Coun- Region, including a comprehensive set and Baltic seas. The Barents countries cil’s Working Group on Environment of thematic maps, tables and figures. A – Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway and its sub-group on nature protection follow-up project was launched in 2015 – face similar challenges in conserva- coordinate cooperation on biodiversity focusing mainly on forests important for tion of these unique ecosystems. Joint and habitat conservation in the Barents biodiversity. The project – soon to be efforts are needed to safeguard the bio- Region. One main aim of the trans- finalized – produced new information

20 The Circle 3.2017 on forests with high conservation values Wildfire. Yugyd in the Barents Region. This information Va National Park, can be utilized in the future develop- Republic of Komi, ment of the protected area systems Russia. of the region. As a short-term result, responsible authorities and other main stakeholders will be better informed about the value of important forest areas and their current protection sta- tus. Preliminary project results show there are still many important forest areas that need protection. Enhancing

the connectivity of the region’s protect- Lindholm Photo:Tapio ed area systems is also highlighted and scores the importance of the main eco- data compiled by the project provides logical mega-corridors of the region. THERE ARE STILL MANY material for further analyses in this Strengthened efforts to protect valu- field. The project particularly under- able forest areas are in line with the IMPORTANT FOREST Strategy for Protection of Intact Forests AREAS THAT NEED Kitkajoki River, Oulanka National Park, in the Barents Region. The strategy, Finland, September 2008. acknowledged by the Environment TO BE PROTECTED Ministers of the Barents Region in November 2015, offers guidance for the preservation of forest biodiversity in networks. Furthermore, improving this extensive region. the engagement of stakeholders such Mapping existing and planned pro- as local communities and Indigenous tected areas in the coastal areas has people is imperative when developing also been undertaken. In 2016, an the management of MPAs. expert workshop produced updated Climate change and changes in land information about the protection of use influence coastal areas in the Barents Region. The the long-term BO STORRANK experts concluded that the network of viability of the is Project marine protected areas (MPAs) of the protected area Manager at region should be further strengthened. systems of the the Finnish Several actions need to be taken: more Barents Region. Environment analyses to identify biodiversity hot It is important Institute spots; agreed-upon criteria for designa- to include tion of MPAs and the designation of nature consid- planned MPAs should be reinforced. erations in forestry practices, to imple- For example, the use of remote sens- ment existing plans for establishment of ing data should be further explored protected areas, and to strengthen the when making large-scale analyses and management of protected areas. Knowl- assessments. It is also critical that edge and data sets produced by joint climate change be taken into consider- transboundary projects are essential to ation in planning and developing MPA future sustainability. l

n The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (of the Convention on Biodiversity) includes 20 global Biodiversity Targets. Target 11 focuses on protected areas: By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecological- ly representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area- based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscape and seascape.

The Circle 3.2017 21 Photo: © Wild Wonders of Europe / Widstrand WWF Photo: © Wild Wonders Contemporary architecture and dramatic nature experiences. Celebrating the Arctic cod.

Arctic taxis. The world’s first all-electric commercial fishing vessel, Karoline.

Innovation in the urban Arctic The Barents is the most populated Arctic region. As LARS WHEN the Norwegian National Bank GEORG FORDAL writes, along with its unique geographical chose a new design for the most popular Norwegian banknote – the 200 kro- position and fragile environment, it is the perfect labora- ner – it opted for an image of the skrei. tory for innovation and sustainability. This Norwegian Arctic cod lives in the Barents Sea and derives its name from

22 The Circle 3.2017 the time of the Vikings the migrating far north is possible and profitable. Norwegian skrei has been synonymous The cold climate in Nordic countries with life, wealth and survival. The pushed researchers to find solutions to absence of the skrei would spell disas- problems caused by snow and icing. It ter. Considering cod stocks around the seems counterintuitive but the frigid world are dwindling and threatened, the Nordic temperatures are an advantage Norwegian skrei fishing industry is now in solar energy production because the considered one of the best managed and efficiency of the solar panels increases sustainable cod stocks in the world. with lower temperatures. A solar energy This story illustrates the dynamics of project in the Swedish town of Piteå is innovation in the Barents Region. The now expanding. future of the Barents must be about the need for people to thrive and make a SUSTAINABLE TOURISM living while protecting the fragile Arctic The tourism industry is an important environment. It underscores the impor- sector for innovation, new jobs and tance of international cooperation. Cur- growth in the north with ongoing efforts rently, Norway and Russia successfully to make it as environmentally friendly The world’s first all-electric commercial fishing vessel, Karoline. share responsibility for maintaining the as possible. In the Norwegian town of skrei stocks which are certified sustain- Kirkenes, for able by the Marine Stewardship Council. example, dog LARS GEORG sledding is an FORDAL is POWERED BY WIND AND SUN alternative to head of the Sparsely populated with approximately cars and taxis Norwegian Bar- 5.3 million inhabitants living within when tourists ents Secretariat its geographical territory, the Barents need transporta- region is nonetheless the most populous tion to and from the airport area in the Arctic. At just 10 percent The architectural project Biotope of the Arctic landmass, this is where combines the best of contemporary approximately 55 per cent of the total Norwegian design with dramatic nature Arctic population resides. This relative experiences. Innovative designs for bird density in population is why we call it hides – shelters used to observe wildlife the “urban Arctic” and why it is an Arc- – nature trails or outdoor amphithe- tic hotspot for innovation and technol- aters provide new ways of experiencing ogy. nature. Attempts to make this a cross- border project are funded by the Norwe- ■■ For more than a year, the world’s gian Barents Secretariat. first all-electric commercial fishing ves- The Barents region needs to bal- sel, Karoline, has been operating daily ance challenges such as infrastructure, from the Norwegian city of Tromsø. harsh climate, NATO borders and large The vessel is emissions-free, produc- socio-economic differences. The key to ing no greenhouse gasses including success will continue to be respectful carbon dioxide and generates less noise and frequent cross-border dialogue, and vibration compared to a standard and good relations with neighboring diesel-powered fishing vessel. The countries. This is how we have carefully Innovation in the urban Arctic Karoline is built by Selfa Arctic AS, a managed the most sustainable stock of the Norse word “skrida” which means manufacturer based in the Norwegian cod since 1816. Through cooperation “to wander or walk”. When the skrei city of Harstad. and innovation, we hope to keep this reach maturity at about five years old ■■ In the land of both eternal darkness busy corner of the arctic safe, sustain- they migrate to the Norwegian coast and light, Swedish, Norwegian and able and a good place to live for future to spawn. Fishermen catch the mature Finnish researchers are collaborat- generations. l skrei from January to April, and since ing to prove that solar power in the

The Circle 3.2017 23 railway connection project, for exam- ple, is expected to create up to 6,400 Driving sustainable jobs and once operational, more than 40,000 employees will be needed. In northernmost Sweden, LKAB is striving to become one of the most economic development sustainable mining companies in the world. In 2016 it initiated a project for The Barents Region is a model for sustainable economic a carbon dioxide-free steel industry with electricity producer Vattenfall and development in the North. explains. TERO VAURASTE Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB. Wind power production is gaining ground and THE ARCTIC Business Forum Yearbook is – seaweed cultivation will be a means expected to become the biggest invest- the best assessment of economic activ- of providing the world with sustainable, ment potential in northern Sweden. ity and future investment potential in healthy food. Svevind is building a massive wind the Barents Region. It is published each Business has a significant role in the power park with over 1,100 turbines in spring by the Lapland Chamber of Com- public sector and social well-being in the Markbygden area near the town of merce and written with a candid busi- sparsely populated Arctic areas. The Piteå. ness eye and a twist of stout optimism. Russian mining and smelting company In 2016, tourism in Finnish Lapland It helps us understand the regional Nornickel is the biggest taxpayer in the set new records with over 2.6 million economic perspectives and the diversity Kola Peninsula. It has invested in the overnight stays – a 13% increase over of business in improvement of employee living and the previous year and well above the TERO this huge tract working conditions. Overcoming past national average of 3%. Chinese tour- ­VAURASTE is of land, wilder- environmental challenges, it has worked ists doubled their visits from 2015. The President and ness, towns and to reduce emissions of major air pollut- Chinese are not only visiting, they are CEO of Arctia communities. ants and is committed to reducing emis- investing as well. In January 2016, the Ltd and Chair In northern sions and discharges. Western compa- Chinese renewable energy company of the Arctic Economic Norway, major nies should continue working closely Sunshine Kaidi New Energy Group Council cities such with Russian counterparts to drive eco- announced plans to construct a second- as Tromsø, nomic development into an even more generation biofuel refinery in Ajos, Kirkenes and sustainable future in the Murmansk and Kemi – an investment of one billion Hammerfest, are fuelling growth. They Arkhangelsk regions. The Belkomur euros. Kaidi’s sustainable technology are joined by smaller towns search- produces biofuels using wood-based ing for their own niche and benefitting biomass, such as leftover bark from the from innovation and growth in sec- forest industry as the main feedstock. tors including fishing and aquaculture. These examples show how develop- Earlier this year High North News ment in the Barents Region can be a reported the number of applications DEVELOPMENT IN THE driver for sustainable economic devel- from prospective aquaculture students opment throughout the Arctic. But it in Norway has nearly tripled in four BARENTS REGION CAN depends on the boldness and robustness years likely due to the potential of sea of regional economies, stable regulatory farming industries garnering interest BE A DRIVER FOR SUS- frameworks across borders, and active among young people. The whole Arctic political dialogue on regional, national region has much to gain from diligent TAINABLE ECONOMIC DE- and international levels. The Arctic Eco- study, research and innovation in the VELOPMENT THROUGH- nomic Council will continue supporting fishing and aquaculture sectors. And and providing forums for this develop- it’s not only fish and shellfish anymore OUT THE ARCTIC. ment. l

24 The Circle 3.2017 Photo: Alexandr Pavlenko, WWF Russia Photo:

Bottom trawling remains the key fishing technique for Russian anglers. Protecting marine ecosystems Amidst the vast array of fishing gear, trawlers remain one of the most efficient methods of catching nearly every type of fish the world over, including in the Barents Sea. But ALEKSANDR PAVLENKO and ALEXEI GOLENKEVICH say trawlers can also be harmful to marine ecosystems. They scoop up huge bycatches of undesired species resulting in large vol- umes of discards.

WHEN GOING AFTER bottom-dwelling fish, upwards of 6 tons – deeply gouge the sea tile, nourishing substrate and habitat for the impact of the rigid gear of the trawler floor and a heavy ground rope up to 40 many types of sea life. on the sea floor causes extensive dam- metres long presses the trawl into the For the past century, cod and had- age to the ocean bed and its inhabitants, sea bed trapping fish beneath it. In the dock have been the main target of bot- adversely affecting benthonic ecosystems. process, the trawler scrapes the upper tom trawling in the Barents Sea. Part of The metal trawl boards – often weighing layer of the sea floor that serves as a fer- the life cycle of these species takes place ➤

The Circle 3.2017 25 WWF IN THE BARENTS REGION

➤ exclusively at or close to the ocean floor, making it extremely difficult and less RESEARCH IS UNDER- profitable to catch them without a trawl- WAY TO DEVELOP A WWF- er scraping the sea bottom. It is possible to catch cod using other fishing gear LESS INVASIVE FORM OF such as longline, nets and traps, but these are significantly inferior to bottom BOTTOM TRAWLING Russia trawling in efficiency and profitability. Therefore, bottom trawling remains the key fishing technique for Russian USSIA CONSTITUTES a significant anglers of cod and haddock. Meanwhile, specialists at the Polar part of the Barents terrestrial and WWF-Russia is working to reduce Research Institute of Marine Fisher- marine ecoregion. This unique, the adverse ies and Oceanography in Murmansk Rdiverse and rapidly developing effects of bot- developed several technical solutions to ecoregion is on the WWF Arctic prior- ALEKSANDR tom trawling on minimize the adverse effects of trawl- ity map: it is home to polar bears and PAVLENKO, marine ecosys- ing. Updated designs include specialized walruses, embracing great Arctic high Chief of the tems without rigging that will be applied to a new latitude archipelagos and mountains of commercial prohibiting version of trawler gear to reduce friction the Kola peninsula. It maintains unique fishing labora- fishing –the and minimize direct contact of trawlers natural ecosystems and rich biodi- tory, PINRO basis of the with the sea bed. Improved design will versity. But it also faces an increasing marine industry reduce the overall resistance of trawl- number of threats related to climate ALEXEI in the Barents ing as it drags the ocean floor. These change and expanding human industrial GOLENKEVICH, Sea – and to lay innovations will lead to reduced fuel activities. Coordinator groundwork for consumption and CO emissions that Major oil and gas companies are tar- of the sustain- 2 the sustainable contribute to climate change. geting offshore petroleum reserves here. able fishing use of marine Research into new technologies such The only high Arctic operational off- program, WWF resources. as acoustic signals charting fish behav- shore oil rig, Prirazlomnaya, has already Russia, Barents Office Scientists ior is another promising trend. This extracted 10 million barrels of oil. The and anglers are research will develop state-of-the-art oil shipping rate is increasing every collaborating to develop a less invasive ecological fishing gear with maximum year, yet there are no efficient infra- form of bottom trawling. Norebo – a catching performance and high selectiv- structures, solutions, means or person- consortium of large fishing companies ity of the target fish. Upon completion of nel for prompt response and full-scale – has agreed to finance this project with the design and testing phase, proposals mitigation of oil spills in Arctic condi- the support of the Union of the Fisher- will be developed for a new, full-scale tions. In 2016, the Russian Government men of the North, and JSC Arkhangelsk trawl with experimental gear for trial halted allocation of new off shore oil Trawl Fleet. Those organizations com- under real fishing conditions at sea. leases for 10 years: exactly what WWF- bined catch about 90% of the Russian We hope further cooperation between Russia and its supporters asked for. quota of cod and haddock in the Barents WWF and Russian anglers will result This pause on oil leases will open new Sea. Anglers have also united to estab- in a working model for the new trawl opportunities for Barents conservation. lish and finance a center for the devel- design. l The anticipated increase of shipping opment of sustainable fishing in the via the Northern Sea Route (North-East North Atlantic. Passage) triggered the construction of

26 The Circle 3.2017 WWF IN THE BARENTS REGION Photo: SCF Group Arctic shuttle tanker Mikhail Ulyanov made the first shipment from the Prirazlomnaya platform in 2014.

new icebreakers in several countries vation allies as their industry is directly Another successful initiative is the including non-Arctic states such as Chi- connected to the health and resilience of introduction of polar bear patrols – na and Korea. At the same time, climate the Barents marine ecosystem. equipped, mobile groups of residents change imposes new challenges for The Barents region also has large – aimed at reducing human-polar bear vulnerable ecosystems and the people tracts of protected taiga forests in the conflicts in communities throughout the who live and work here. WWF Russia Arkhangelsk region. WWF Russia coop- Barents region. advocates a shift from heavy fuel oil to erates with the largest timber compa- WWF-Russia will continue to work liquefied natural gas as bunker fuel for nies in the region to introduce sustain- closely with all types of transport vessels to reduce able forestry methods. We participate other WWF IGOR CHESTIN the risk of oil spills and lessen the in the Barents Protected Areas Network national organ- is the CEO of impact of climate change. This initiative that created Onezhskoje Pomorje isations to WWF-Russia is supported by the Russian Minister of National Park and approved of Dvinsko- address the Natural Resources. Pinezhsky Nature Reserve. These spaces conservation The Barents Sea is a fishbasket of will protect Europe`s largest mass of needs, and global importance – every second cod intact spruce forests. challenges in the Barents ecoregion. sold in the UK alone is caught here. WWF support to conserve Arctic Partnerships with a range of stakehold- WWF Russia is proud of the success species and ecosystems resulted in the ers including indigenous peoples and promoting sustainable fisheries, with creation of more than 1.4 million hect- local communities will be key to our over 90% of the whitefish catch in the ares of regional and federal protected success. l Russian part of the Barents Sea MSC areas in the Russian part of the Barents certified. Fishermen are strong conser- region.

The Circle 3.2017 27 WWF IN THE BARENTS REGION

Sweden: opportunities in the Barents

HE DEVELOPMENT and economic opportunities to implement and support and there is a need for integrated gov- potential of the Barents region is projects in this region. ernance and landscape planning. The drawing increasing attention, so The Arctic has many faces, and the Barents region is also the home of the Tthe need for trans-boundary col- Barents region is among the most devel- Saami and it is critically important to laboration has never been more urgent. oped concerning infrastructure, extrac- secure the future of reindeer herding With Sweden chairing the Barents Euro- tives, tourism, fisheries and human and Saami culture. One of the crucial Arctic Council (BEAC) to 2019, WWF population. Many different stakeholders drivers for future development in this and WWF-Sweden have numerous are interested in the same resources region is climate change, how it affects

It is critically important to secure the future of reindeer herding and Saami culture. 28 The Circle 3.2017 Photo: Lawrence Hislop, www.grida.no/resources/2011 WWF IN THE BARENTS REGION

societies and how they will adapt. WWF Sweden supports a broad spec- trum of projects in the Barents region Finland: protecting the lesser together with several stakeholders. Many species are affected by climate change and it is of utmost importance to white-fronted goose have good management plans. We focus mainly on gyrfalcon, bowhead whales, reindeer, walrus and polar bear. WWF Sweden is also a co-partner of Felles HE BARENTS Fjellrev II, an EU interreg project to region is an support the transboundary management important breed- of Arctic fox in Norway and Sweden. Ting area for sev- Other areas of economic importance eral Arctic bird species where WWF Sweden is working in including the lesser the Barents for good governance and white-fronted goose. sustainable development include for- This rare, endangered estry, commercial fishery, shipping and species was once a com- renewable energy. Some of the projects mon breeding bird that are in collaboration with large com- almost disappeared panies, others with NGOs or regional during the 1900s. governments. A key tool to maintain The greatest threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services is to the lesser white-fronted Wikimedia Commons Photo: Olaf Oliviero Riemer, create a functional network of conser- goose is hunting occur- Lesser white-fronted goose (Anser erythropus). vation areas that is resilient to change ring along the birds’ caused by climate and/or exploitation. migration routes and There are many challenges as well as over-wintering sites in the eastern parts by mapping the migration routes of opportunities in the Barents region, but of the Mediterranean Sea and the Mid- the lesser white-fronts by following the development has to be long-term and dle East. A new and growing threat in movements of the geese via lightweight sustainable for people and nature to live the birds’ breeding areas due to climate satellite transmitters and color ring- in harmony. l change is the range expansion of the red ing. These long-term efforts are finally fox in the tundra. showing positive results: since 2009, the WWF-Finland established a working decline of the Fennoscandian population group for the research and conservation has been halted and the number of geese of the species in the 1980’s, and has since has since slowly increased. Despite all been active in international conserva- this progress the species is still critically tion work for the bird. Several projects, endangered in the Nordic countries, with many supported by the EU LIFE fund, only some 35 breeding pairs. The species helped reduce hunting pressures along is also globally the migration routes, provide suitable threatened with HAKAN WIRTÉN is the CEO DR. LIISA foraging and roosting habitats in winter- a population of of WWF-Sweden Rohweder is ing and staging grounds, and increase some 28,000- the CEO of knowledge and awareness of the species. 33,000 indi- WWF-Finland Targeted conservation efforts are aided viduals. l

The Circle 3.2017 29 WWF IN THE BARENTS REGION

WWF-Norway: battling to conserve the Arctic lifeline

WF-NORWAY IS committed to oil industry the Norwegian government ■■ Ensure Norway’s marine manage- conserving the vitality and has ignored even the recommenda- ment plans are updated according to viability of the Arctic’s most tions of its own technical bodies and the most recent scientific knowledge Wprecious area – the marginal the Ministry of Environment. Earlier and maintain their integrity as a tool to ice zone. Already severely threatened this year, WWF-Norway released the ensure the health of the environment; by climate change, ocean acidification report, “Life on the edge,” documenting ■■ Establish marine conservation areas and pollution, the added risks posed by the importance of Arctic life. The report in collaboration with other Arctic coun- oil drilling are unconscionable in a time summarizes research that confirms the tries. New conservation areas must pro- when new wells cannot be developed. impacts climate change has on nature tect the crucial zone where the open sea Norway’s energy politics and petro- and important species in this extreme meets the ice; leum industry ecosystem. ■■ Inspire appreciation and stewardship NINA JENSEN have been The deterioration of Arctic sea- of the Arctic marine ecosystems in the is the CEO of aggressively ice means enhanced access to Arctic Norwegian people and WWF-Norway advancing on seas for commercial activity, such as ■■ Prevent oil drilling near the marginal the marginal exploitation of previously unavailable ice zone. ice zone in the petroleum reserves. This new climate northern Bar- opportunism in the Arctic raises many The rapid impact of climate change ents Sea since 2012. Further develop- environmental concerns regarding the in the Arctic causes dramatic change in ment has been an uphill battle for them risks of contamination, disturbance and highly vulnerable areas. WWF-Norway thanks to WWF-Norway, our allies in infringement on the Arctic’s unique demands that all political decisions con- other environmental organizations, and and already heavily threatened natural cerning the ice edge are based on sci- national scientific bodies. Still, they habitats. entific and not commercial advice. We advance. WWF-Norway’s priorities in the Arc- cannot accept that already endangered In its eagerness to appease the tic are: species be put at greater risk.

30 The Circle 3.2017 WWF IN THE BARENTS REGION In the eye of the storm

S SWEDEN assumes the rotat- ing two-year chairmanship of WHAT HAPPENS IN THE the Barents Euro-Arctic Coun- BARENTS REGION HAS Acil from Russia this year, the eyes of the world increasingly turn GLOBAL CONSEQUENCES north. Greater access to the North- east Passage is likely to revolutionise conditions for the shipping industry. There is enormous economic poten- tial linked to the blue economy, min- Our harsh climate challenges eral and forestry industries. innovation in the far North. But the The Barents region is also the Barents region continues to innovate epicentre of the global climate crisis. in ways that create jobs, growth and Temperatures here are rising more confidence, and contributes solu- rapidly than the global average while tions to the climate crisis. This kind swelling sea levels from melting ice of sustainable innovation power threaten all of us, from Sweden to creates business opportunities and Fiji. What happens in the Barents increases our region has global consequences. competitive- MARGOT The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable ness. WALLSTRÖM is Development and the Paris Climate Collaborat- Sweden’s Min- Accord represent a paradigm shift, ing with Indig- ister for Foreign enabling us to embark on the sus- enous peoples Affairs tainable development of our societ- is a given and In 2018, Sweden will ies. They provide aspirations for a a necessity. We chair the Barents Euro- good life for us and for future gen- cannot meet the Arctic Council erations. The Swedish Chairmanship challenges of of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council climate change will pursue an agenda built on sus- without listening to and learning tainable development and the goals from their traditional knowledge. of the 2030 Agenda, with an empha- We look forward to working closely sis on enhancing people-to-people with them throughout our chair- contacts and promoting youth manship. engagement. Barents Cooperation In 2018, Barents Cooperation will – created to promote sustainable mark its 25th anniversary, provid- economic and social development ing an excellent opportunity to take – gains strength from the unique stock of previous achievements interaction between stakeholders at while moving forward. I am con- national, regional and local levels. vinced our joint efforts will contrib- The Swedish Chairmanship will ute to a sustainable and equitable work closely with them and continue future for the Barents region. l An aerial view of to promote the rights of Indigenous where the sea ice peoples – the Saami, the Nenets and meets the sea. the Veps. Peace and stability are pre- conditions for development. Photo: © WWF / Henry Harrison

The Circle 3.2017 31 Return WWF Arctic Programme 275 Slater Street, Suite 810, Ottawa ON, K1P 5H9, CANADA

THE PICTURE Dalai Lama and the Sami president Photo: Kenneth Hætta, CC, Flickr.com

The Dalai Lama visited Norway in 2014. He was not allowed to speak with members of the Norwegian government due to Norway’s strained relations with China, but he was welcomed by Aili Keskitalo, the president of the Sami Council.

Why we are here To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

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