Departments involved
Several departments share policy responsibility for the North Sea. That is related to the complexity and the varied social uses of the North Sea system.
The minister of Infrastructure and Water Management is the person responsible for coordinating integrated North Sea policy and management. Other departments involved are: Economic Affairs and Climate, Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Interior and Kingdom Relations, Education, Culture and Science, Defence, Finance and Justice and Security.
Otherwise, responsibilities lie with Rijkswaterstaat, the coordinating authority for the North Sea, and with the Coast Guard.
Responsibilities in relation to development of policy
Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (including operational services)
- Coordinating department for North Sea affairs
- Security in the event of flooding
- Development of North Sea policy
Ministry of Public Housing and Spatial Planning
- Spatial policy
- Ecological management
Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
- Dutch interpretation of EU fisheries policy
- Nature policy and countryside management
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy
- Market organisation and energy transition
- Creation of wind energy projects and other sources of off-shore green energy
- Mining legislation
Ministry of Defence
- Security of territorial waters
Ministry of Justice and Security
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
- Conservation of cultural heritage
Ministry of Finance
Management duties
The majority of the departments with policy responsibility also have their own management duties on the North Sea. See what these are on the Government agencies with management duties page.