Editing North Sea (section)

==Economy==
[[File:north sea eez.PNG|thumb|The [[exclusive economic zone]]s in the North Sea]]

===Political status===
Countries that border the North Sea all claim the {{convert|12|nmi}} of [[territorial waters]], within which they have exclusive fishing rights.<ref name="Barry">{{Cite book
| last1 = Barry, M.
| first1 = Michael
| last2 = Elema
| first2 = Ina
| last3 = van der Molen
| first3 = Paul
| title = Governing the North Sea in the Netherlands: Administering marine spaces: international issues
| year = 2006
| publisher = International Federation of Surveyors (FIG)
| url = http://www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub36/chapters/chapter_5.pdf
| place = Frederiksberg, Denmark
| pages = 5–17, Ch. 5
| isbn = 978-87-90907-55-6
| access-date = 12 January 2009
| archive-date = 5 February 2009
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090205005632/http://www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub36/chapters/chapter_5.pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The [[Common Fisheries Policy]] of the [[European Union]] (EU) exists to coordinate fishing rights and assist with disputes between EU states and the EU border state of Norway.<ref>{{Cite book
|publisher = European Commission
|title = About the Common Fisheries Policy
|date = 24 January 2008
|url = http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/
|access-date = 2 November 2008
|archive-date = 14 July 2013
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130714182421/http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/
|url-status = live
}}</ref>

After the discovery of mineral resources in the North Sea during the early 1960s, the [[Convention on the Continental Shelf]] established country rights largely divided along the median line. The median line is defined as the line "every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points of the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea of each State is measured".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/8_1_1958_continental_shelf.pdf|title=Text of the UN treaty|access-date=21 October 2013|archive-date=17 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017192715/http://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/8_1_1958_continental_shelf.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
The ocean floor border between Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark was only reapportioned in 1969 after protracted negotiations and a judgment of the [[International Court of Justice]].<ref name="Barry"/><ref>{{Cite book
|publisher=International Court of Justice
|title=North Sea Continental Shelf Cases
|date=20 February 1969
|url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=3&k=cc&case=52&code=cs2&p3=4
|access-date=24 July 2007
|archive-date=1 December 2008
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201013509/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=3&k=cc&case=52&code=cs2&p3=4
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

===Oil and gas===
{{further|North Sea oil|List of oil and gas fields of the North Sea}}
As early as 1859, oil was discovered in onshore areas around the North Sea and [[natural gas]] as early as 1910.<ref name="Glennie">{{Cite book | last =Glennie | first =K. W. | year =1998 | title =Petroleum Geology of the North Sea: Basic Concepts and Recent Advances | publisher =Blackwell Publishing | pages =11–12 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=BRoJwOzO3NUC&pg=PA11 | isbn =978-0-632-03845-9 | access-date =1 July 2020 | archive-date =17 April 2023 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20230417084131/https://books.google.com/books?id=BRoJwOzO3NUC&pg=PA11 | url-status =live }}</ref> Onshore resources, for example the [[K12-B]] field in the Netherlands continue to be exploited today.

[[File:StatfjordA(Jarvin1982).jpg|thumb|Oil platform [[Statfjord oil field|Statfjord]] A with the [[flotel]] Polymarine]]

Offshore test drilling began in 1966 and then, in 1969, [[Phillips Petroleum Company]] discovered the [[Ekofisk oil field]]<ref name="Ekofisk">{{cite book
|last=Pratt
|first=J. A.
|editor=T. Priest, & Cas James
|title=Offshore Pioneers: Brown & Root and the History of Offshore Oil and Gas
|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TW6yMgPdgbQC&pg=PP1
|access-date=8 December 2008
|year=1997
|publisher=Gulf Professional Publishing
|isbn=978-0-88415-138-8
|page=222
|chapter=Ekofisk and Early North Sea Oil
|archive-date=17 April 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417084132/https://books.google.com/books?id=TW6yMgPdgbQC&pg=PP1
|url-status=live
}}</ref> distinguished by valuable, low-sulphur oil.<ref name="Lohne">{{cite book
|last=Lohne
|first=Øystein
|title=The Oil Industry and Government Strategy in the North Sea
|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jZIOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA73
|year=1980
|publisher=Taylor & Francis
|isbn=978-0-918714-02-2
|page=74
|chapter=The Economic Attraction
|access-date=1 July 2020
|archive-date=17 April 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417084136/https://books.google.com/books?id=jZIOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA73
|url-status=live
}}</ref> Commercial exploitation began in 1971 with [[Petroleum tanker|tankers]] and, after 1975, by a [[pipeline transport|pipeline]], first to [[Teesside]], England and then, after 1977, also to [[Emden]], Germany.<ref>{{cite web
 |title        = TOTAL E&P NORGE AS&nbsp;– The history of Fina Exploration 1965–2000
 |work         = About TOTAL E&P NORGE > History > Fina
 |url          = http://www.total.no/en/About+TOTAL+NORGE/History/Fina/index.aspx
 |access-date  = 15 January 2009
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20061007012331/http://www.total.no/en/About+TOTAL+NORGE/History/Fina/index.aspx
 |archive-date = 7 October 2006
}}</ref>

The exploitation of the North Sea [[oil reserves]] began just before the [[1973 oil crisis]], and the climb of international oil prices made the large investments needed for extraction much more attractive.<ref>{{cite book
|last=McKetta
|first=John J.
|editor=Guy E. Weismantel
|title=Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing and Design: Volume 67 – Water and Wastewater Treatment: Protective Coating Systems to Zeolite
|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MfjDlUe8Kc0C&pg=PA102
|year=1999
|publisher=CRC Press
|isbn=978-0-8247-2618-8
|page=102
|chapter=The Offshore Oil Industry
}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
The start in 1973 of the oil reserves by the UK allowed them to stop the declining position in international trade in 1974, and a huge increase after the discovery and exploitation of the huge oil field by Phillips group in 1977 as the [[Brae field]].

Although the production costs are relatively high, the quality of the oil, the political stability of the region, and the proximity of important markets in [[western Europe]] have made the North Sea an important oil-producing region.<ref name="Lohne"/> The largest single humanitarian catastrophe in the North Sea [[Petroleum industry|oil industry]] was the destruction of the offshore [[oil platform]] [[Piper Alpha]] in 1988 in which 167 people lost their lives.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/6/newsid_3017000/3017294.stm| title=On This Day 6 July 1988: Piper Alpha oil rig ablaze| publisher=BBC| access-date=3 November 2008| date=6 July 1988| archive-date=3 September 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903235323/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/6/newsid_3017000/3017294.stm| url-status=live}}</ref>

Besides the Ekofisk oil field, the [[Statfjord oil field]] is also notable as it was the cause of the first pipeline to span the [[Norwegian trench]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.gassco.no/wps/wcm/connect/Gassco-EN/gassco/home/var-virksomhet/ror-og-plattformer/statpipe_rich_gas/| title=Statpipe Rich Gas| publisher=Gassco| access-date=3 November 2008| archive-date=14 June 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614102612/http://www.gassco.no/wps/wcm/connect/Gassco-EN/Gassco/Home/var-virksomhet/ror-og-plattformer/statpipe_rich_gas/| url-status=dead}}</ref> The largest [[natural gas field]] in the North Sea, [[Troll gas field]], lies in the Norwegian trench, dropping over {{convert|300|m|ft}}, requiring the construction of the enormous [[Troll A platform]] to access it.

The price of [[Brent Crude]], one of the first types of oil extracted from the North Sea is used today as a standard price for comparison for [[Petroleum|crude oil]] from the rest of the world.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/northseabrentcrude.asp| title=North Sea Brent Crude| publisher=Investopedia ULC| access-date=3 November 2008| archive-date=26 October 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026171717/http://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/northseabrentcrude.asp| url-status=live}}</ref> The North Sea contains western Europe's largest oil and natural gas reserves and is one of the world's key non-OPEC producing regions.<ref>{{cite web
| title = North Sea
| work = Country Analysis Briefs
| publisher = Energy Information Administration (EIA)
| date = January 2007
| url = http://www.auburn.edu/~johnspm/gloss/absolute_advantage
| access-date = 23 January 2008
| archive-date = 9 March 2009
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090309153553/http://www.auburn.edu/~johnspm/gloss/absolute_advantage
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

In the UK sector of the North Sea, the oil industry invested £14.4&nbsp;billion in 2013 and was on track to spend £13&nbsp;billion in 2014. Industry body [[Oil & Gas UK]] put the decline down to rising costs, lower production, high tax rates, and less exploration.<ref name="ShellUK">{{cite news|title=Shell to cut 250 onshore jobs at its Scotland North Sea operations|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/shell-cut-250-onshore-jobs-091711459.html|date=12 August 2014|access-date=16 December 2014|work=Yahoo Finance|archive-date=14 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714044647/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/shell-cut-250-onshore-jobs-091711459.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2018, The North Sea region contained 184 offshore rigs, which made it the region with the highest number of offshore rigs in the world at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/279100/number-of-offshore-rigs-worldwide-by-region/|title=Number offshore rigs worldwide by region 2018|website=Statista|access-date=9 July 2018|archive-date=9 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709215723/https://www.statista.com/statistics/279100/number-of-offshore-rigs-worldwide-by-region/|url-status=live}}</ref><br>

The British North Sea's oil and gas production, peaking in 2000, had declined by 2024, while offshore wind projects like Dogger Bank grew to support renewable energy goals, with windfall taxes funding the transition.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 January 2024|title=The fall of UK North Sea oil and rise of offshore wind|newspaper=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/fall-uk-north-sea-oil-rise-offshore-wind-2025-01-03/ |access-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>

===Fishing===
{{main|Fishing in the North Sea}}
[[File:Fischkutterquerinhafen.jpg|thumb|A trawler in [[Nordstrand, Germany]]]]

The North Sea is Europe's main fishery accounting for over 5% of international commercial fish caught.<ref name="Britannica"/> Fishing in the North Sea is concentrated in the southern part of the coastal waters. The main method of fishing is [[trawling]].<ref>{{cite book
|last=Sherman
|first=Kenneth
|author2=Lewis M. Alexander
|author3=Barry D. Gold
|title=Large Marine Ecosystems: Stress, Mitigation, and Sustainability
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mtucgF2qOrIC&pg=RA1-PA252
|access-date=12 January 2009
|edition=3, illustrated
|year=1993
|publisher=Blackwell Publishing
|isbn=978-0-87168-506-3
|pages=252–258
|archive-date=17 April 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417084702/https://books.google.com/books?id=mtucgF2qOrIC&pg=RA1-PA252
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
In 1995, the total volume of fish and shellfish caught in the North Sea was approximately 3.5&nbsp;million tonnes.<ref>{{cite web
 |title        = MUMM – Fishing
 |publisher    = Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
 |date         = 2002–2008
 |url          = http://www.mumm.ac.be/EN/NorthSea/fishing.php
 |access-date  = 29 November 2008
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20081202121543/http://www.mumm.ac.be/EN/NorthSea/fishing.php
 |archive-date = 2 December 2008
 |url-status   = dead
 }}</ref> Besides saleable fish, it is estimated that one million tonnes of unmarketable [[by-catch]] is caught and discarded to die each year.<ref>{{cite web
|title =One Million Tons of North Sea Fish Discarded Every Year
|publisher =Environment News Service (ENS)
|year =2008
|url =http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2008/2008-11-05-03.asp
|access-date =9 December 2007
|archive-date =9 November 2008
|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081109062620/http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2008/2008-11-05-03.asp
|url-status =dead
}}</ref>

In recent decades, [[overfishing]] has left many fisheries unproductive, disturbing marine [[food chain]] dynamics and costing jobs in the [[fishing industry]].<ref>{{cite book| last=Clover |first= Charles| year=2004| title=The End of the Line: How overfishing is changing the world and what we eat| publisher=Ebury Press| location=London| isbn=978-0-09-189780-2}}</ref> Herring, cod and plaice fisheries may soon face the same plight as mackerel fishing, which ceased in the 1970s due to overfishing.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = North Sea Fish Crisis – Our Shrinking Future
 |work        = Part 1
 |publisher   = Greenpeace
 |year        = 1997
 |url         = http://archive.greenpeace.org/comms/cbio/crisis1.html
 |access-date  = 2 November 2008
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070704031349/http://archive.greenpeace.org/comms/cbio/crisis1.html
 |archive-date = 4 July 2007
}}
</ref>
The objective of the European Union [[Common Fisheries Policy]] is to minimize the environmental impact associated with resource use by reducing fish discards, increasing the productivity of fisheries, stabilising markets of fisheries and fish processing, and supplying fish at reasonable prices for the consumer.<ref>{{Cite book
|first =Ana
|last =Olivert-Amado
|publisher =European Parliament Fact Sheets
|title =The common fisheries policy: origins and development
|date =13 March 2008
|url =http://www.europarl.europa.eu/facts_2004/4_3_1_en.htm
|access-date =19 July 2007
|archive-date =22 March 2008
|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080322120042/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/facts_2004/4_3_1_en.htm
|url-status =live
}}</ref>

=== Whaling ===
Whaling was an important economic activity from the 9th until the 13th century for Flemish whalers.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/233490.pdf |title=Cetaceans and Belgian whalers, A brief historical review |work=Belgian whalers |access-date=13 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402145444/http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/233490.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The medieval Flemish, Basque and Norwegian whalers who were replaced in the 16th century by Dutch, English, Danes, and Germans, took massive numbers of whales and dolphins and nearly depleted the right whales. This activity likely led to the extinction of the Atlantic population of the once common [[grey whale]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lindquist|first1=O.|title=The North Atlantic grey whale (Escherichtius [sic] robustus): An historical outline based on Icelandic, Danish-Icelandic, English and Swedish sources dating from ca 1000 AD to 1792.|date=2000|publisher=Occasional papers 1. Universities of St Andrews and Stirling, Scotland. 50 p.}}</ref> By 1902 the whaling had ended.<ref name="auto"/> After being absent for 300 years a single grey whale returned in 2010,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Scheinin|first1=Aviad P|last2=Aviad|first2=P.|last3=Kerem|first3=Dan|title=Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) in the Mediterranean Sea: anomalous event or early sign of climate-driven distribution change?|journal=Marine Biodiversity Records|date=2011|volume=2|page=e28|doi=10.1017/s1755267211000042|doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 |bibcode=2011MBdR....4E..28S }}</ref> it probably was the first of many more to find its way through the now ice-free [[Northwest Passage]].

===Mineral resources===
[[File:Amber Bernstein many stones.jpg|thumb|Unpolished [[amber]] stones, in varying hues]]
In addition to oil, gas, and fish, the states along the North Sea also take millions of cubic metres per year of [[sand]] and [[gravel]] from the ocean floor. These are used for [[beach nourishment]], [[land reclamation]]
and construction.<ref name="Phua">{{cite web |author=Phua, C. |author2=S. van den Akker |author3=M. Baretta |author4=J. van Dalfsen |title=Ecological Effects of Sand Extraction in the North Sea |url=http://www.fc.up.pt/pessoas/ptsantos/azc-docs/phua_et_al_ecological_effects_sand_extraction_north_sea.pdf |publisher=[[University of Porto]] |access-date=12 January 2009 |archive-date=5 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205005633/http://www.fc.up.pt/pessoas/ptsantos/azc-docs/phua_et_al_ecological_effects_sand_extraction_north_sea.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
Rolled pieces of [[amber]] may be picked up on the east coast of England.<ref name="Rice">{{cite book
|last=Rice
|first=Patty C.
|title=Amber: Golden Gem of the Ages: Fourth Edition
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g6NVVpqhixIC&pg=PA153
|access-date=12 January 2009
|edition=4, illustrated
|year=2006
|publisher=Patty Rice
|isbn=978-1-4259-3849-9
|pages=147–154
|archive-date=17 April 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417084711/https://books.google.com/books?id=g6NVVpqhixIC&pg=PA153
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

===Renewable energy===
{{further|Renewable energy in the European Union|List of offshore wind farms in the North Sea}}

Due to the strong [[prevailing winds]], and shallow water, countries on the North Sea, particularly Germany and Denmark, have used the shore for [[wind power]] since the 1990s.<ref>{{cite book
|author1=LTI-Research Group
|author2=LTI-Research Group
|title=Long-term Integration of Renewable Energy Sources into the European Energy System
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q9r6aYDLwkgC&pg=PA206
|access-date=12 January 2009
|year=1998
|publisher=Springer
|isbn=978-3-7908-1104-9
|archive-date=17 April 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417084723/https://books.google.com/books?id=q9r6aYDLwkgC&pg=PA206
|url-status=live
}}</ref> The North Sea is the home of one of the first large-scale [[offshore wind farm]]s in the world, [[Horns Rev]] 1, completed in 2002. Since then many other [[wind farm]]s have been commissioned in the North Sea (and elsewhere). As of 2013, the 630&nbsp;[[megawatt]] (MW) [[London Array]] is the largest offshore wind farm in the world, with the 504 (MW) [[Greater Gabbard wind farm]] the second largest, followed by the 367&nbsp;MW [[Walney Wind Farm]]. All are off the coast of the UK. These projects will be dwarfed by subsequent wind farms that are in the pipeline, including [[Dogger Bank Wind Farm|Dogger Bank]] at 4,800&nbsp;MW, Norfolk Bank (7,200&nbsp;MW), and Irish Sea (4,200&nbsp;MW). At the end of June 2013 total European combined offshore wind energy capacity was 6,040&nbsp;MW. The UK installed 513.5&nbsp;MW of offshore wind power in the first half-year of 2013.<ref name=EWEA2013>[http://www.ewea.org/fileadmin/files/library/publications/statistics/EWEA_OffshoreStats_July2013.pdf The European offshore wind industry -key trends and statistics 1st half 2013 ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430023032/http://www.ewea.org/fileadmin/files/library/publications/statistics/EWEA_OffshoreStats_July2013.pdf |date=30 April 2016 }} EWEA 2013</ref> The development of the offshore wind industry in UK-controlled areas of the North Sea is traced to three phases: coastal, off-coastal and deep offshore in the period 2004 – 2021.<ref>Moss, Joanne "Critical perspectives: North Sea offshore wind farms.: Oral histories, aesthetics and selected legal frameworks relating to the North Sea." (2021) https://uu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1611092/FULLTEXT01.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024154520/https://uu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1611092/FULLTEXT01.pdf |date=24 October 2023 }} Retrieved 2 October 2023</ref>

The expansion of offshore wind farms has met with some resistance. Concerns have included shipping collisions<ref>{{cite web
|title = New Research Focus for Renewable Energies
|publisher = Federal Environment Ministry of Germany
|year = 2002
|url = http://www.bmu.bund.de/files/pdfs/allgemein/application/pdf/new_research.pdf
|page = 4
|access-date = 8 December 2008
|archive-date = 17 December 2008
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081217143715/http://www.bmu.bund.de/files/pdfs/allgemein/application/pdf/new_research.pdf
|url-status = dead
}}</ref> and [[Environmental effects of wind power#Offshore|environmental effects]] on ocean ecology and wildlife such as fish and migratory birds,<ref>{{cite web
 |author       = Ecology Consulting
 |publisher    = United Kingdom Department for Business, Enterprise, & Regulatory Reform
 |title        = Assessment of the Effects of Offshore Wind Farms on Birds
 |year         = 2001
 |url          = http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file20258.pdf
 |access-date  = 16 January 2009
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090205005628/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file20258.pdf
 |archive-date = 5 February 2009
}}</ref> however, these concerns were found to be negligible in a long-term study in Denmark released in 2006 and again in a UK government study in 2009.<ref>[http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2235062/study-finds-offshore-wind-farms Study finds offshore wind farms can co-exist with marine environment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916234624/http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2235062/study-finds-offshore-wind-farms |date=16 September 2009 }}. Businessgreen.com (26 January 2009). Retrieved on 5 November 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.offshore-sea.org.uk/consultations/Offshore_Energy_SEA/OES_Non_Technical_Summary.pdf Future Leasing for Offshore Wind Farms and Licensing for Offshore Oil & Gas and Gas Storage] {{webarchive|url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090522203401/http%3A//www.offshore%2Dsea.org.uk/consultations/Offshore_Energy_SEA/OES_Non_Technical_Summary.pdf |date=22 May 2009 }}. UK Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment. January 2009 (PDF). Retrieved on 5 November 2011.</ref>
There are also concerns about reliability,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kaiser|first=Simone|author2=Michael Fröhlingsdorf|magazine=Der Spiegel|title=Wuthering Heights: The Dangers of Wind Power|date=20 August 2007|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,500902,00.html|access-date=16 January 2009|archive-date=25 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125110804/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,500902,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the rising costs of constructing and maintaining offshore wind farms.<ref>{{cite news
|publisher =BBC News
|title =Centrica warns on wind farm costs
|date =8 May 2008
|url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7391056.stm
|access-date =16 January 2009
|archive-date =1 December 2008
|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081201140506/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7391056.stm
|url-status =live
}}</ref> Despite these, development of North Sea wind power is continuing, with plans for additional wind farms off the coasts of Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK.<ref>{{cite web |publisher =New Energy Focus |title =Centrica seeks consent for 500MW North Sea wind farm |date =22 December 2008 |url =http://newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=2068&section=Wind |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20230214163141/http://newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=2068&section=Wind |url-status =usurped |archive-date =14 February 2023 |access-date =16 January 2009 }}</ref> There have also been proposals for a [[North Sea Offshore Grid|transnational power grid in the North Sea]]<ref>{{cite news |last =Gow |first =David |newspaper =The Guardian |title =Greenpeace's grid plan: North Sea grid could bring wind power to 70m homes |date =4 September 2008 |url =https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/sep/04/windpower.renewableenergy |access-date =16 January 2009 |location =London |archive-date =3 November 2014 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20141103101428/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/sep/04/windpower.renewableenergy |url-status =live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wynn |first=Gerard |work=Reuters |title=Analysis – New EU power grids in frame due to gas dispute |date=15 January 2009 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKLC493972 |access-date=30 March 2022 |archive-date=30 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330041407/https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKLC493972 |url-status=live }}</ref> to connect [[North Sea Wind Power Hub|new offshore wind farms]].<ref name=hub>{{cite web |url= http://www.tennet.eu/our-key-tasks/innovations/north-sea-infrastructure/ |title= North Sea Infrastructure |publisher= [[TenneT]] |date= March 2017 |access-date= 25 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170308233832/http://www.tennet.eu/our-key-tasks/innovations/north-sea-infrastructure |archive-date= 8 March 2017 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

Energy production from [[tidal power]] is still in a pre-commercial stage. The [[European Marine Energy Centre]] has installed a wave testing system at Billia Croo on the Orkney mainland<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.emec.org.uk/wave_site.asp| title=Billia Croo Test Site| publisher=[[EMEC]]| access-date=1 November 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227231203/http://www.emec.org.uk/wave_site.asp| archive-date=27 December 2008}}</ref> and a tidal power testing station on the nearby island of [[Eday]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.emec.org.uk/tidal_site.asp| title=Fall of Warness Test Site| publisher=[[EMEC]]| access-date=1 November 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201165129/http://www.emec.org.uk/tidal_site.asp| archive-date=1 December 2008}}</ref> Since 2003, a prototype [[Wave Dragon]] energy converter has been in operation at Nissum Bredning fjord of northern Denmark.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wavedragon.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=14| title=Prototype testing in Denmark| publisher=[[Wave Dragon]]| year=2005| access-date=1 November 2008| archive-date=3 January 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103112148/http://www.wavedragon.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=14| url-status=live}}</ref>

===Tourism===
[[File:Netherlands-Scheveningen-beach-1900.jpg|thumb|The beach in [[Scheveningen]], Netherlands in c. 1900]]
The beaches and coastal waters of the North Sea are destinations for tourists. The English, Belgian, Dutch, German and Danish coasts<ref>{{cite book
|last=Wong
|first=P. P.
|title=Tourism Vs. Environment: The Case for Coastal Areas
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=21ikixG655wC&pg=PA139
|access-date=27 December 2008
|year=1993
|publisher=Springer
|isbn=978-0-7923-2404-1
|page=139
|archive-date=17 April 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417084645/https://books.google.com/books?id=21ikixG655wC&pg=PA139
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref name="Hall">{{cite book
|last=Hall
|first=C. Michael
|title=Nordic Tourism: Issues and Cases
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mxq97WB2aVQC&pg=PA170
|access-date=27 December 2008
|year=2008
|publisher=Channel View Publications
|isbn=978-1-84541-093-3
|page=170
|author2=Dieter K. Müller
|author3=Jarkko Saarinen
|archive-date=17 April 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417084645/https://books.google.com/books?id=mxq97WB2aVQC&pg=PA170
|url-status=live
}}</ref> are developed for tourism. The North Sea coast of the United Kingdom has tourist destinations with beach resorts and [[links (golf)|links]] golf courses; the coastal town of [[St. Andrews]] in Scotland is renowned as the home of [[golf]], and is a popular location among golfing pilgrims.<ref>{{cite news |title=St. Andrews, Scotland: See the place where golf was born and Will and Kate fell in love |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2019/10/24/st-andrews-scotland-where-golf-born-will-and-kate-fell-love/4067547002/ |date=24 October 2019 |first1=Rick |last1=Steves |access-date=15 June 2024 |work=USA Today |quote=Tiny St. Andrews has a huge reputation, known around the world as the birthplace and royal seat of golf. The chance to play on the world's oldest course – or at least take in the iconic view of its 18th hole – keeps the town perennially popular among golfing pilgrims}}</ref>

The [[North Sea Trail]] is a [[long-distance trail]] linking seven countries around the North Sea.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Welcome - North Sea Trail
 |work        = European Union
 |publisher   = northseatrail.org
 |url         = http://www.northseatrail.org/
 |access-date  = 2 January 2009
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160101042324/http://www.northseatrail.org/
 |archive-date = 1 January 2016
}}
</ref> Windsurfing and sailing<ref>{{cite book
|last=Knudsen
|first=Daniel C.
|author2=Charles Greet
|author3=Michelle Metro-Roland
|author4=Anne Soper
|title=Landscape, Tourism, and Meaning
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vNnCnURw2O4C&pg=PA112
|access-date=27 December 2008
|year=2008
|publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
|isbn=978-0-7546-4943-4
|page=112
|archive-date=17 April 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417084645/https://books.google.com/books?id=vNnCnURw2O4C&pg=PA112
|url-status=live
}}</ref> are popular sports because of the strong winds. [[Mudflat hiking]],<ref>{{cite book
|last= Schulte-Peevers
|first=Andrea
|author2=Sarah Johnstone |author3=Etain O'Carroll |author4=Jeanne Oliver |author5=Tom Parkinson |author6=Nicola Williams
|title=Germany
|url=https://archive.org/details/germany00schu
|url-access= registration
|access-date=27 December 2008
|year=2004
|publisher= Lonely Planet
|isbn= 978-1-74059-471-4
|page=[https://archive.org/details/germany00schu/page/680 680]
}}
</ref> [[fishing|recreational fishing]] and birdwatching<ref name="Hall"/> are among other activities.

The climatic conditions on the North Sea coast have been claimed to be healthy. As early as the 19th century, travellers visited the North Sea coast for curative and restorative vacations. The sea air, temperature, wind, water, and sunshine are counted among the beneficial conditions that are said to activate the body's defences, improve circulation, strengthen the immune system, and have healing effects on the skin and the respiratory system.<ref>{{Cite book
|publisher =German National Tourist Board
|title =Büsum: The natural healing power of the sea
|url =http://www.germany-tourism.de/ENG/destination_germany/master_tlkur-id1252.htm?cc_lang=
|access-date =2 November 2008
|archive-date =1 December 2008
|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081201021723/http://www.germany-tourism.de/ENG/destination_germany/master_tlkur-id1252.htm?cc_lang=
|url-status =live
}}</ref>

The [[Wadden Sea]] in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands is an [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].

===Marine traffic===
{{see also|List of North Sea ports}}
The North Sea is important for marine transport and its shipping lanes are among the busiest in the world.<ref name="Barry"/> Major ports are located along its coasts: [[Rotterdam]], the busiest port in Europe and the [[List of busiest ports by cargo tonnage|fourth busiest port in the world by tonnage]] {{As of|2013|lc=on}}, [[Antwerp]] (was 16th) and [[Hamburg]] (was 27th), [[Bremen]]/[[Bremerhaven]] and [[Port of Felixstowe|Felixstowe]], both in the top 30 busiest [[List of busiest container ports|container seaports]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/Statistics/WORLD%20PORT%20RANKINGS%2020081.pdf| title=World Port Rankings| year=2008| publisher=[[American Association of Port Authorities]]| access-date=25 July 2010| archive-date=2 December 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202024733/http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/Statistics/WORLD%20PORT%20RANKINGS%2020081.pdf| url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the [[Port of Zeebrugge|Port of Bruges-Zeebrugge]], Europe's leading [[Roll-on/roll-off|ro-ro]] port.<ref>{{cite web
|title = Port Authority Bruges-Zeebrugge
|publisher = MarineTalk
|date = 1998–2008
|url = http://www.marinetalk.com/articles-marine-companies/com/Port-Authority-Bruges-Zeebrugge-POR069.html
|access-date = 28 December 2008
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090725000609/http://www.marinetalk.com/articles-marine-companies/com/Port-Authority-Bruges-Zeebrugge-POR069.html
|archive-date = 25 July 2009
|url-status = usurped
}}</ref>

[[File:Waalhaven in Rotterdam 2016.jpg|thumb|[[Rotterdam]], Netherlands]]

Fishing boats, service boats for offshore industries, sport and pleasure craft, and merchant ships to and from [[List of North Sea ports|North Sea ports]] and [[Ports of the Baltic Sea|Baltic ports]] must share routes on the North Sea. The Dover Strait alone sees more than 400 commercial vessels a day.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/mcga-searchandrescue/mcga-hmcgsar-sarsystem/channel_navigation_information_service__cnis_/the_dover_strait.htm| title=The Dover Strait| publisher=[[Maritime and Coastguard Agency]]| year=2007| access-date=8 October 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831173118/http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/mcga-searchandrescue/mcga-hmcgsar-sarsystem/channel_navigation_information_service__cnis_/the_dover_strait.htm| archive-date=31 August 2010}}</ref> Because of this volume, navigation in the North Sea can be difficult in high traffic zones, so ports have established elaborate [[vessel traffic service]]s to monitor and direct ships into and out of port.<ref name="Freestone">{{cite book
|last=Freestone
|first=David
|editor=link
|title=The North Sea: Perspectives on Regional Environmental Co-operation
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sGSMw7gCOLYC&pg=PA167
|access-date=12 January 2009
|year=1990
|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers
|isbn=978-1-85333-413-9
|pages=186–190
|archive-date=17 April 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417084646/https://books.google.com/books?id=sGSMw7gCOLYC&pg=PA167
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

The North Sea coasts are home to numerous canals and canal systems to facilitate traffic between and among rivers, artificial harbours, and the sea. The [[Kiel Canal]], connecting the North Sea with the Baltic Sea, is the most heavily used artificial seaway in the world reporting an average of 89 ships per day not including sporting boats and other small watercraft in 2009.<ref name="Kiel">{{cite web| url=http://www.kiel-canal.org/english.htm| title=Kiel Canal| publisher=Kiel Canal official website| access-date=2 November 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310035954/http://www.kiel-canal.org/english.htm| archive-date=10 March 2009}}</ref> It saves an average of {{convert|250|nmi}}, instead of the voyage around the [[Jutland]] peninsula.<ref name="Kiel2">{{cite web |url=http://www.hebridean.co.uk/_pdf/Hebridean-Spirit-The-Baltic-East.pdf |title=23390-Country Info Booklets Hebridean Spirit The Baltic East |publisher=Hebridean Island Cruises |access-date=18 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114213006/http://www.hebridean.co.uk/_pdf/Hebridean-Spirit-The-Baltic-East.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2008 }}</ref> The [[North Sea Canal]] connects [[Amsterdam]] with the North Sea.
{{Clear}}