MAREANO maps depth and topography, sediment composition, biodiversity, habitats and biotopes as well as pollution in the seabed in Norwegian coastal and offshore areas. The Programme aims to provide answers to questions such as:
- How is the seascape of the Norwegian continental shelf?
- What does the seabed consist of?
- How is the biodiversity distributed on the seabed?
- How are habitats and biotopes distributed on the seabed?
- What is the relationship between the physical environment, biodiversity and biological resources?
- How much contaminants are stored in the bottom sediments?
The Institute of Marine Research, the Geological Survey of Norway and the Norwegian Mapping Authority comprise the Executive Working Group which is responsible for carrying out the MAREANO field sampling and other scientific activities. The Programme Group, led by the Directorate of Fisheries, has the superior responsibility for the MAREANO activities.
The Programme is financed by the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. These ministries, inclusive of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, form the MAREANO Steering Board.
Financial contribution in:
- 2013: Mill. NOK 90.5
- 2012: Mill. NOK 88.4
- 2011: Mill. NOK 92,4
- 2010: Mill. NOK 51.5
- 2009: Mill. NOK 51.5
- 2008: Mill. NOK 32.6
- 2007: Mill. NOK 32.6
- 2006: Mill. NOK 23.6
First phase: 2006 - 2010
MAREANO-results contributed significantly with marine benthic knowledge to the revision of the Management plan for the Barent Sea and areas off Lofoten, which was presented in 2011. The report forms a background knowledge that is to be used by Norwegian authorities in their management of northern Norwegian seas, in particular relative to fisheries and future petroleum activities. These areas were therefore given priority in the first phase of the MAREANO baseline mapping.
Areas mapped by MAREANO in the perioden 2006 – 2012. Black Red dots show stations sampled by using the video-rig Campod, while black dots show stations where all the MAREANO sampling gears have been in use (video, grab, beamtrawl, sled, mutlicorer).
Second phase: 2011-
The mapping is to continue in the Barents Sea inclusive of the new Norwegian areas. However, due to a scheduled revision of the Management plan for the Norwegian Sea in 2014, priority is as well given to the shelf areas of the Norwegian Sea. The field-mapping of the Nordland VI-area will be finished in 2012.
Main products
- information about seabed characteristics and biotopes
- information about the distribution of benthic fauna, communities, biological diversity and production
- information about contaminants in the sediments
- detailed bathymetric maps
- online database and map services collecting information on Norwegian coastal and ocean regions
