The Arctic marine environment is changing rapidly, and these changes mean new challenges and opportunities in the realm of marine cooperation. The third meeting of the Arctic Council’s Task Force on Arctic Marine Cooperation (TFAMC) will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland on 1-2 June.

The third meeting of the Arctic Council’s Task Force on Arctic Marine Cooperation (TFAMC) will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland on 1-2 June. The meeting will be chaired by Jóhann Sigurjónsson (Iceland), together with Kjell Kristian Egge (Norway) and Brian Israel (US).

The Arctic marine environment is changing rapidly, and these changes mean new challenges and opportunities in the realm of marine cooperation. As Jóhann Sigurjónsson stated in an earlier interview, “The changes in Arctic waters have occurred faster than was anticipated 20 years ago, so it is important that we try to understand whether we are doing the right things when it comes to monitoring and managing these important ocean areas now and in the future.”

At the Task Force’s previous meetings, held in Stockholm in February 2016 and in Oslo in September 2015, delegates assessed future needs and provided preliminary feedback on gaps and opportunities for enhanced marine cooperation. The meetings have also been an opportunity for Observers and others from outside the Arctic Council to contribute; delegates heard presentations on existing mechanisms for marine cooperation in other parts of the world from OSPAR, HELCOM, the Sargasso Sea Commission, PICES, IASC, and ICES. In addition, the Arctic Council Working Groups AMAP, CAFF, and PAME presented an overview of their past and present work identifying needs and objectives for international cooperation in relation to Arctic marine areas.

The TFAMC’s work is of strong interest to the Arctic States, Permanent Participants, Working Groups and Observers; more than 60 delegates attended the first and second sessions of the TFAMC.