LNS

The Living North Sea project will solve problems surrounding the management of fish species which rely on moving between the North Sea and freshwater systems of partner countries. These species are under considerable threat, some even in hazardous decline.

Priority

2 – Promoting the Sustainable Management of our Environment

Area of Intervention

2.1 Sustainable development of the coastal land and sea areas through integrated coastal zone management

Living North Sea brings together representatives from across the NSR country, in a project that which will make long lasting changes to the way that migratory fish species, whose stocks are shared between nations, are managed in the region. The project will create a permanent management group for migratory fish of these habitats which will continue to work collaboratively, but will also tackle decision making processes ensuring project results can be integrated in future policies on the national and EU level.

Aim

To use Sustainable Coastal Zone Management techniques for key migratory species of the North Sea countries, share existing knowledge between countries and sectors and on populations and migratory routes to identify the essential gaps in knowledge that must be answered. LNS will prioritise geographical locations for work across the North Sea countries based on potential abundance and important habitats and zones for particular species. The project will create a permanent management group for migratory fish of these habitats which will continue to work collaboratively and tackle the decision making processes to ensure that the results of the Living North Sea project are firmly integrated into future national and European policies.

Expected Outcomes

• Online open source GIS mapping system and a fish migration database to visualise migratory routes in the NSR
• Demonstration sites and expertise on how to solve key barriers for migratory fish
• Expert management group for migratory fish
• Recommendations on sustainable migratory fish management for the integration into EU, national and regional policies