Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment

Quick Facts

Primary Focus
The protection and sustainable use of the Arctic marine environment

Establishment
1991

Chair 2025-2027
Russian Federation

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PAME

About PAME

PAME addresses marine policy measures in response to environmental change from both land and sea-based activities. PAME develops and coordinates strategic plans, programs, assessments and guidelines, complementing existing legal arrangements aimed at protection of the Arctic marine environment.

PAME’s projects largely operate within the following themes:

  • Arctic Shipping
  • Marine Protected Areas
  • Resource Exploration and Development
  • Ecosystem Approach to Management
  • Arctic Marine Pollution

PAME’s Chairmanship rotates between Arctic Council Member States. Arctic States and Permanent Participants participate in the work, and Observers are invited to participate at PAME meetings.

Abidat Magomedova
PAME Chair

Fredrik Theisen

Vice-Chair

Soffia Gudmundsdottir

Executive Secretary
PAME Secretariat
Email
+354 461 1355
+354 863 8576

Featured projects

Status of current offshore oil and gas activities by Arctic States
Meaningful Engagement of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Marine Activities
Management of Arctic Marine Oil and Gas Associated Noise
Existing Waste Management Practices and Pollution Control for Marine and Coastal Mining
Marine Invasive Alien Species in Arctic Waters
Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM) Areas in the Arctic Marine Environment
Compendium of Arctic Ship Accidents (CASA)
Arctic Protected and Important Areas
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Black Carbon emissions from shipping activity in the Arctic and technology developments for their reduction
Low Impact Shipping Corridors in the Arctic
Ecosystem Status, Human Impact and Management Measures in the Central Arctic Ocean
Implementation of the Arctic Marine Strategic Plan (AMSP)
Arctic Coastal Cleanup
Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM/EA) of Arctic marine ecosystems
Ecosystem Approach Framework (EA)
Framework for a Pan-Arctic Network of MPAs
Different Ways of Knowing
Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter
Development of a planning tool for area-based conservation of Arctic species and ecosystems: A case study on ice-dependent species
Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Network Toolbox
Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter: Implementation
Arctic Ship Traffic Data (ASTD)
Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum
Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) of the Central Arctic Ocean
Arctic Marine Tourism: Development in the Arctic and enabling real change
Underwater noise in the Arctic
Arctic Shipping Status Reports
Interpretation of the Polar Code
Modelling Arctic oceanographic connectivity
Protection from Invasive Species
New Low Sulphur Fuels, Fate, and Behavior in Cold Water Conditions
Collaboration with the Arctic Regional Hydrographic Commission (ARHC)
Systematically Strengthening Observer Engagement in PAME’s Shipping Work
Wastewater Discharges from Vessels in the Arctic
Arctic Port Reception Facilities Inventory
Arctic Arrangement for Regional Reception Facilities
Raising awareness in the Arctic Council of the provisions of the 2012 Cape Town Agreement
Fishing Practice & Gear Inventory

PAME news

Updated advisory note: Caution Required When Navigating in Arctic Waters – issued by PAME and the Arctic Regional Hydrographic Commission

An interview with Manon Larocque, Hydrographer General of Canada, Director General of the Canadian Hydrographic Service, and Chair of the ARHC
22 Apr 2026

Securing a Resilient Arctic Ocean

As the High Seas Treaty entered into force January 2026, attention is turning to how area-based conservation measures can strengthen management of a rapidly changing Arct...
03 Mar 2026

Arctic Shipping Update: 40% Increase in Ships in the Arctic

New data sheds light on 12 years of Arctic shipping trends
12 Feb 2026
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Calendar

13 Oct-15 Oct 2026
Cold Seas, Critical Gaps Hotel Føroyar in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
26 Feb-28 Feb 2027
Arctic Youth Conference 2027 Nuuk, Greenland; Katuaq – Greenland Cultural Centre
16 Mar-18 Mar 2027
Arctic Biodiversity Summit 2027 Nuuk, Greenland; Katuaq – Greenland Cultural Centre
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