Table 4 Norwegian administrative levels and areas of responsibility in large carnivore governance (adapted from Fedreheim 2013)
From: Trade-offs in pastoral governance in Norway: Challenges for biodiversity and adaptation
| Level | Responsible agency | Areas of competence/responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| International | Bern Convention | • Ensures sustainable carnivore populations |
|
• Conserve biological diversity • Ensures sustainable use of biological diversity’s components | ||
| State | Ministry of Climate and Environment |
• Has overall responsibility for wildlife • Appoints members to the Regional Carnivore Management Boards • Serves as Appeals Court for the Regional Carnivore Management Boards |
| Norwegian Environment Agency |
• Performs bureaucratic work related to the Wildlife Act • Gathers knowledge and information about wildlife • Serves as Appeals Court for the County Governor | |
| State Nature Inspectorate |
• Executive field branch • Assists livestock owners in gathering documentation • Prevents and stops environmental criminality • Supervises the stock of carnivores • Carries out measures initiated by the Norwegian Environment Agency | |
| Regional | County Governor |
• Manages Golden Eagles • Performs damage prevention efforts related to the Golden Eagle • Decides on quotas and licensed hunting on all large carnivores • Guides (and acts as the secretariat for) the Regional Carnivore Management Boards |
| Regional Carnivore Committeesa |
• Implementing the national policy in their regions • Set the yearly quota for hunting lynx, wolverines and brown bear • Set the yearly number of lynx hunters and licensed hunters of wolverines and brown bears • Develop detailed guidelines for use of funds • Develop a management plan based on the national targets, including area differentiation plan | |
| Local | Municipality | • Manage wild herbivores |