The most northern Arctic waters are becoming accessible for the first time in more than 800,000 years as sea ice melts with the onset of global warming. Some scientists predict the Arctic will be ice-free before mid-century, opening the sea to an influx of ships from distant ports – and the accompanying potential for environmental degradation.

While the Arctic countries cannot stop boats from China, Japan, South Korea and the European Union from entering the region, they can put a halt to their own activities and set the template for a binding international agreement. The declaration on the table in Oslo this week would prevent the five signatories from taking part in commercial fishing in waters that lie beyond their northern 200-mile (320-kilometre) exclusive economic zones until the studies have been done.