Geir Hønneland Knihy

The book examines the integration of the precautionary approach in fisheries management through the lens of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard. It highlights the certification process's influence on fisher behavior and state practices across various fisheries in polar waters. Notable examples include improved scientific knowledge in the Southern Ocean and voluntary adaptations in the Barents Sea to protect endangered species. While private certification complements public regulations, its overall impact varies, with some fisheries experiencing significant behavioral changes and others showing modest effects.

The receding Arctic ice is transforming the region into a critical geopolitical battleground, revealing new trade routes and vast natural resources. This book examines Russia's strategic engagement with the Arctic, exploring its foreign policy, regional development, and environmental challenges. Geir Honneland synthesizes extensive research on issues like fishing, climate change, and nuclear safety, while analyzing diplomatic tensions with Norway and Canada. It offers vital insights into the political dynamics shaping the future of the Arctic in the context of international relations.

The book explores the complexities of compliance in the Barents Sea fisheries, drawing on over a decade of research and practical experience in various roles, including as an interpreter for the Norwegian Coast Guard and as a PhD student. It acknowledges the contributions of colleagues and mentors from the Norwegian Coast Guard and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, highlighting the collaborative nature of the research process. The author's gratitude extends to specific individuals who provided essential support in areas such as library assistance and map production.

The world is currently witnessing an 'Arctic Scramble'-as the major powers compete to demarcate and occupy Arctic territory. The region is known to be home to large gas and oil reserves, and its position at the top of the globe holds significant trading and military advantages. Yet the territorial boundaries of the region remain ill-defined and Russia, under the increasingly bold foreign policy of Vladimir Putin, has emerged as a forceful power in the region. Geir Honneland investigates the political contexts and international tensions surrounding Russia's actions, focusing especially on the disputes which have emerged in the Barents Sea-where European and Russian interests compete directly. Skillfully delineating Russian policy in the region, and analyzing the mineral and environmental consequences of the recent treaty agreements, Russia and the Arctic is a crucial addition to our understanding of contemporary International Relations concerning the Polar North"

This pivot describes the ups and downs of Norwegian High North politics since the end of the Cold War. It considers how political interest in the Arctic has been growing rapidly in the international community as states stake their claim to areas of the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean, and focuses on Russia’s actions, as the Arctic state with the longest shoreline and the only one outside NATO. The author argues that among the Western countries, Norway has the most extensive experience in tackling Russia in the Arctic, and the neighbourhood with the Russian Bear invariably shapes foreign policy, notably in matters of security, and how foreign policy concerns are intertwined with economic motives, be that hopes of access to the big Russian market or to the oil and gas fields on the Russian Arctic shelf. To achieve the combined goal of security and business, the Norwegian Government has regularly orchestrated “Arctic waves” to direct the attention of local, national and international politicians and businesses to the alleged opportunities of the North. In this book, the author takes us through “the Great Barents Awakening” of the 1990s, “the Great High North Enchantment” of the early 2000s and recent years’ “Arctic wave” in Norwegian foreign policy.