Environmental concerns have been high on the agenda of the Ministry of Fisheries for decades.

The Icelandic Oceans Policy: three pillar approach:

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,
• the concept of sustainable development, and
• the view that the responsibilty for the conservation and utilisation of the marine ecosystems is best placed in the hands of those states directly affected by the decisions taken and with the greatest interests at stake.

Science based - market driven management:

• A primary purpose of the fisheries management system is the conservation and sustainable use of the living marine resources. A key role has been assigned to marine research, which dates back a century in Iceland, as the use of best available scientific knowlegde is fundamental.

Ecosystem approach:

• Iceland is committed to enhanced emphais on an ecosystem approach, that is to take into account, to the extent possible, effects on the ecosystems as a whole of a certain measure or a policy.

Responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.

• The Ministry of Fisheries is responsible for the conservation and utilization of the living marine resouces, which encompasses the duty to respect and take into account environmental concerns.  It addresses these concerns through its policies and legisation as well as  through its committment to the UNCLOS. The Ministry for Environment i.a. sees to concerns pertaining to the prevention of pollution of the ocean, matters pertaining to toxic and hazardous substances and conservation of biodiversity.

Protection of vulnerable marine areas and closure of areas.

• In a 2005 report on the protection of vulnerable marine areas, three areas south of Iceland in total 73 square kilometers were considered in need of a special protection and need for further electronic mapping of the seabed identified. The fisheries sector was given the opportunity to comment or amend these proposals before the Minister decided upon them.  In the process the protected areas were extended to cover some 80 sq.km.  The measures, that entered into force on the 1st of January 2006,  are an addition extensive closures of marine areas in the Icelandic exclusive economic zone that aim to protect fish species during spawning and where there is a high percentage of juveniles. Further there are also limitions to the use of specific gear in several areas.