Human activities and impacts

Other human impact. Aquaculture

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:41:05 +0000

As described in chapter General background description of the ecosystem - Ecosystem interactions - Human impact, aquaculture may affect the ecosystem when farmed fish escape and interact with native fish, through spread of pathogens and through pollution.

Other human impact. Bio-prospectation

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:40:12 +0000

As described in chapter General background description of the ecosystem - Ecosystem interactions - Human impact, bio-prospectation does not have impact on the ecosystem in the Barents Sea today.

Other human impact. Tourism

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:38:22 +0000

As described in chapter General background description of the ecosystem - Ecosystem interactions - Human impact, cruise-ship tourism may have impact on behaviour of marine mammals. Due to expected climatic changes that will open new area for sailing because of ice melting, one can also expect increasing pressure from tourism in this open area.

Maritime transport. Expected development (during the next 5 years)

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:36:50 +0000

Future shipping activities depend considerably on the expansion rate of the oil-and-gas related industry in the northern areas, which in turn depends on both regional and global economic developments. Global warming and a subsequent increase of ice-free shipping routes through Arctic waters could also significantly contribute to increase shipping traffic.

Maritime transport. Introduction of alien species, through fouling of the hull or discharge of ballast water

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:35:13 +0000

As described in chapter General background description of the ecosystem - Biotic components - Rare and threatened species, alien species introduced through ballast water or on hulls can have large impacts on ecosystems.

Maritime transport. Impacts from emissions to air

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:33:36 +0000

The maritime transport contributes to emission to air of CO₂, NO_x, non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), methane, and SO₂.

Maritime transport. Impact from operational discharge (oil, contaminated water, ballast water)

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:32:16 +0000

As described in chapter General background description of the ecosystem - Ecosystem interactions - Human impact, no major impacts have been registered from operational discharges of oil and chemicals from anti fouling systems from ship transport.

Oil and gas activities. Expected situation in the near future (5 years)

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:30:56 +0000

It is expected that two new wells will be drilled in the Norwegian and Russian sectors of the Barents Sea in 2009.

For the period up to 2010, Russian authorities plan to award 20 prospective areas in the Barents and Pechora seas. There are distributed over six tenders who are located in the areas with the proven deposits of hydrocarbons.

Oil and gas activities. Emission to air

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:29:58 +0000

Offshore oil and gas production will contribute to emission to air of CO2, NOx, non-methan volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), methane, and SO2. Emission to air from petroleum production occurs from energy production, flaring of gas from well testing and from venting (release of unburned gas from pipes and valves in the processes during normal operations or safety reasons). Flaring of associated gas during oil production is not permitted.

Oil and gas activities. Physical disturbance of the sea bed- habitat reduction

admin@barentsportal.com (Administrator) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:46:20 +0000

As described in chapter General background description of the ecosystem - Ecosystem interactions - Human impact, effects on bottom habitats from oil and gas activities are limited to the Snøhvit field and are small also within this field.