Mapping of ocean floor within the Icelandic EEZ for conservation and sustainable use of the benthic biota
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Government
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#OceanAction41108
Description
Only 12% of the ocean floor within the Icelandic EEZ has been mapped with high resolution equipment for this purposes, i.e. some 88.000 sq.km outside the 100m depth contour and some 2.600 sq.km within 100m. Therefore the Icelandic Marine Research Institute will lead a 13 year effort (2017-2029) in mapping the Icelandic EEZ with the help of modern multibeam-ecohosounder technique, that provides information on the bottom surface contours and sub-bottom profilers that will provide information beneath the surface, sediment type and lava structures. Other geological measurements will be conducted in part as the project will develop, such as measurements of magnetism.
It is planned that two platforms will be used for the conduct of this work, 70m long R/V rni Fridriksson that will be operating in waters beyond 200m depth contour and deeper, and the smaller 21m coast guard vessel Baldur. In all, it is estimated that in order to complete the measuring in the year 2029, the larger vessel will operate some 60 days and the smaller one 40 days every year. The estimated total cost of the project is in the range of US $ 31.000.000. Included is basic processing and storing of the aquired information, that will be the responsibility of the Marine Research Institute, but excluded is the cost that may follow and relates to further use of the data and dedicated research projects that are likely to arise when the data is made available for use free of charge to organisations, universities and institutions.
Iceland Geosurvey Scientific community
Icelandic Coast Guard Government
National Land Survey of Iceland Government
Icelandic Institute of Natural History Scientific community
National Energy Authority Government
The Environment Agency of Iceland Government
National Planning Agency Government
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
| 14.5 | By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information |
| 14.a | Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries |
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Contact Information
Hedinn Valdimarsson, Head of Division