AlaskaNor
Opportunities for Blue Growth in Alaska and North Norway
About AlaskaNor
AlaskaNor is a multi-year study financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nordland County, aimed at unlocking ocean-based economic development opportunities in North Northway and Alaska. The project begins with comparing various industries in the two regions, identifying opportunities in each, then analyzing any barriers to making use of these opportunities.
Alaska and North Norway share similar characteristics, particularly regarding the regions’ economic dependence on maritime industries and their potential for blue economy development. However, no knowledge has been shared or even attained yet concerning the opportunities for both regions to mutually tackle the manifold challenges of regionally developing their blue economy. AlaskaNor addressed this knowledge gap.
Most recently, the focus on Arctic development has shifted towards the blue economy. In a nutshell, this entails utilizing ocean-based resources to the benefit of local communities. Yet, in a preliminary Arktis 2030-project, which examined related development efforts in Alaska and North Norway, a basic problem was identified; namely the limited coordination of knowledge when it comes to challenges and opportunities that arise as the blue potential is explored. Obvious lessons of relevance concerning resource utilization and local adaptation are not shared between the various Arctic regions.
Hence, AlaskaNor’s key objective was to improve knowledge concerning the blue economy in Alaska and North Norway and in turn enhancing related knowledge among relevant stakeholders and amongst decisions-makers. This was done by:
- Developing knowledge in four work packages dealing with various aspects of the blue economy (Phase I)
- Synthesizing these findings in collaboration with stakeholders in Alaska and North Norway (Phase II)
- Targeting decision-makers in Washington, D.C. and Oslo with policy recommendations (Phase III)