Bellona establishes Center for Marine Restoration in Lofoten

The facility that Bellona will develop into a Center for Marine Restoration is located on the waterfront in Kabelvåg,. Here, the environmental foundation will collaborate with researchers, technology developers, businesses and local communities to address one of Europe’s biggest ecosystem crises.

“The world’s ecosystems are largely affected by human activity. Moving forward, restoring nature to achieve ecosystems in balance will become an increasingly important part of the international climate and environmental fight. In Norway, we must start right outside our own doorstep, along the coast of Northern Norway,” says Joakim Hauge, global head of science and strategy at the Bellona Foundation.

A big investment

The establishment of the Center for Marine Restoration is a major initiative for Bellona, which recognizes that conservation alone is no longer sufficient. Since the 1970s, an enormous area of ​​5,000 square kilometers along the coast of Northern Norway has transformed from lush kelp forest to barren sea urchin desert. This has led to a significant loss of carbon storage and biodiversity, as well as a loss of 50,000 tons of large fish annually. The cause is human activity, primarily past overfishing of sea urchin predators like cod and wolf fish.

“Restoration is possible and can yield substantial benefits, but it will require innovation and unconventional collaborations to develop solutions that truly make an impact. Therefore, we at Bellona are proud and pleased to enter into four partnerships today that will bring key players on board with significant expertise and sustainability ambitions,” says Hauge.

Norrøna has contributed funding as a business partner to realize the Center for Marine Restoration.

A natural crisis

“It feels natural for us at Norrøna to collaborate with the Bellona Foundation on this important marine project. Until recently, few of us were aware of the nature crisis unfolding off our coast. The fact that the seabed has transformed from a lush kelp forest into a sea urchin desert is very serious. Therefore, it is entirely appropriate for Norrøna to join when Bellona asks us to participate in this collaboration to restore Norway’s kelp forests,” says Jørgen Jørgensen, CEO and owner of Norrøna.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway has signed an agreement with Bellona to collaborate on research, innovation, and the development of new sustainable solutions. “UiT has a long and proud tradition in marine research in the Arctic, and as one of the four broad universities in Norway.  We have extensive expertise in fields such as biology, technology, fisheries, aquaculture, law, management, and social sciences. All of these disciplines can contribute to our ongoing collaboration,” says Dag Rune Olsen, rector at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

Finally, something really positive is happening

Lofotrådet , the regional council for the six municipalities in Lofoten, has also signed an agreement with Bellona to realize new sustainable opportunities for marine restoration in Lofoten.

“The Lofoten Council is proud to welcome Bellona to Kabelvåg and Lofoten. Lofoten is built on the values from the sea, and we must do everything we can to protect our marine natural resources. Kelp forests are crucial for fisheries, and the Lofoten municipalities have a direct interest in marine restoration, both to protect nature and to safeguard our livelihoods. I must say that I might be a bit extra proud as a Kabelvåg resident. After a long period of reduced economic activity and development in Kabelvåg, something truly positive is finally happening again,” says an excited Lofotråd leader, Vidar Thom Benjaminsen.

A powerhouse

Blue Harvest Technologies has signed an agreement with Bellona as a technology partner for the Center for Marine Restoration.

“Blue Harvest Technologies develops future-oriented solutions related to low-trophic production, and we are now looking forward to collaborating with Bellona on innovation and technology development related to kelp cultivation and natural restoration along the coast of Norway,” says Nikolai Buer, Chairman of Blue Harvest Technologies.

The Center for Marine Restoration (SMR) will be a powerhouse helping to turn one of Europe’s biggest ecosystem crises into opportunities for future-oriented business development in Northern Norway, and to achieve national climate and environmental goals. The center aims to accelerate and coordinate research, technology development, information sharing, and quantification of restoration effects. SMR will serve as an infrastructure that can be utilized by other actors from research, students, volunteers, startups, and larger commercial entities working on solutions in the value chain. The center will also have a dedicated strategic focus on research and technology development that Bellona and its partners have identified as particularly important for enabling holistic solutions for large-scale natural restoration.

Contact information: 

Bellona: Joakim Hauge, Global head of science and strategy: +47 408 56 190 | joakim@bellona.no 

Norrøna: Karianne G. Horjen, Content & PR Manager: +47 982 60 801 | karianne@norrona.no

UiT: Tomas Rolland, Strategic Senior Advisor: +47 482 55 761 | tomas.rolland@uit.no

The Lofoten Council, Gaute Wahl, General Manager: +47 970 04 849 | gaute.wahl@lofotradet.no

Blue Harvest Technologies, Nikolai Buer, Chairman +47 479 66 700 | nikolai@blueharvesttechnologies.com

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