Stakeholder Mapping of the Oslofjord: It’s Complicated!

Stakeholder Mapping of the Oslofjord: It’s Complicated! 

With the SEADITO project officially kicked off, our core team gathered for a workshop to tackle the challenges facing the Oslofjord and identify the key stakeholders we need to involve. 

Two main challenges emerged: fishing and emissions. We then began the task of stakeholder mapping for each. 

Navigating the various stakeholders who impact or are impacted by the state of the Oslofjord can feel overwhelming. The first thing that struck me was the incredible interest and engagement from citizens. 

A call to action 

Earlier this year, in May, the local NGO Pådriv brought together over 100 people at City Hall for a workshop titled “Let’s Make the Oslofjord Healthy Again.” They followed up with a next step workshop last week. Pådriv aims to facilitate collaboration among individuals, businesses, organizations, and municipalities to drive sustainable change. The Oslofjord clearly sparks immense engagement in the region, which isn’t surprising given that 40% of Norway’s population lives within an hour’s drive of the fjord. For many, it’s part of their daily life—a place for recreation, boating, or weekend retreats. As we enjoy its beauty, we also witness firsthand the decline of its ecosystems. 

When the SEADITO proposal was first discussed, we immediately saw the potential for including the Oslofjord as a case study. While seeking support and engaging partners, I presented the idea of creating a digital twin of the fjord in various forums. The concept sparked significant interest before the project even began. Researchers reached out to explore potential uses of the digital twin, while NGOs expressed concerns about the impact of sewage discharge and sought insights into the environmental consequences. 

You don’t know what you got till it’s gone  

Growing up, I spent many days fishing for cod in the inner Oslofjord, I have fond memories of fishing with my grandfather, as well as with my friend Maria and her father at their cabin. My grandfather used to comment on how small the cod were, which at the time I didn’t realize was a sign of the cod population already being under severe pressure. The cod, being the largest predator in the Oslofjord, plays a vital role in the ecosystem. Today, it’s rare to find cod larger than 40 cm, the minimum size allowed for fishing in Southern Norway. There’s currently a cod fishing ban in the fjord, and discussions are underway about potentially banning all fishing in certain areas. 

This personal connection to the fjord is shared by many Norwegians, contributing to the strong public engagement in efforts to restore the Oslofjord’s ecosystem. The decline in its health is something many of us have witnessed in our lifetimes. 

It’s complicated 

Another challenge that emerged during stakeholder mapping, particularly in relation to emissions, is the sheer complexity of the organizations involved in managing the fjord’s water quality. The catchment area of the Oslofjord spans 118 municipalities, and under them different agencies each with different responsibilities and effects on the fjord. There are also regional bodies, water regions, the Norwegian Environment Agency, and the Ministry of Climate and Environment, making it a complex web of stakeholders whose actions and decisions impact the health of the ecosystem. 

Technology for a better society 

The SEADITO project is part of the EU’s mission to restore our oceans and waters. One of the key goals is to create a Digital Twin of the Ocean, which will provide a digital representation of real-world entities and processes. These digital twins use real-time and historical data to represent the past and present, while numerical models simulate future scenarios. The SEADITO project aims to develop integrated social-ecological models and indicators to assess the impact of environmental change and policy alternatives to improve decision-making. To do that we need to use existing data and knowledge – want to get involved? Reach out! 

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