The study plan will be implemented as an integrated programme. The programme is lead with focus on project synergy for providing pertinent information to guide environmental planning and regulation of oil exploration activities in the Greenland Sea, as outlined in the key questions above. Detailed project plans are developed to secure that project linkages are strong and that data and information sampled are useful and compatible across the projects.

The data collected by these studies will improve the understanding of the marine High Arctic ecosystem off NE Greenland and contribute to the baseline and background information database, which will be available for industry and government agencies for environmental assessment and regulation of future activities in the area.

Increasing the available knowledge for assessing the environmental impacts of defined activities includes developing and maintaining databases as well as quality assurance of industry baseline studies for EIAs, e.g., developing tools for benthos identifications. New actions have been taken especially to support the latter in one of the presented themes.

The programme lead will secure scientific synergy and integration through thematic meetings and two workshops. Joint data sampling protocols will be developed across projects where relevant.  Logistic coordination will take place throughout the programme. An updated Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) with integrated analysis will be produced at the end of the study programme.

Program leads:

Anders Mosbech (PI): amo@ecos.au.dk

Jose Nymand: jony@natur.gl

Eva Friis Møller: efm@ecos.au.dk