The seascape of Andfjorden – credit, Jan Harald Tomassen/Statsforvaltaren i Troms and Finnmark
On September 18th, the Norwegian government established a new marine protected area covering approximately 714 square miles, equivalent to almost 260,000 football pitches.
Called the Andfjorden Marine Protected Area, the area is home to rich and varied nature, both above and below the surface, “it contributes both to our food supply and to unique nature experiences,” said Minister of Climate and Environment Sigrun Aasland.
“The protection will help ensure that future generations can also enjoy the natural values of Andfjorden.”
The protected area covers waters in the northernmost part of Nordland and the southernmost part of Troms, extending into Andøy, Harstad, and Senja municipalities.
It has a diverse range of marine habitats, including coral reefs, coral gardens, and sponge and sea-pen communities. Kelp forests, shell-sand, and maerl beds provide important spawning, nursery, and feeding grounds for many fish species. The area is also home to abundant fish populations and large numbers of whales and seabirds.
The protected area includes several zones containing particularly valuable and vulnerable biodiversity. Restrictions on activities are stricter in these zones than in the rest of the protected area.
– Credit T. Madsen
“This shows that we can protect nature effectively while also facilitating fisheries, space activities,” said Aasland in a statement. “I would like to commend the municipalities, local communities and all users of the area for their excellent cooperation… I am confident that everyone will contribute to ensuring that the new protected area is well looked after.”
The protected area will be managed by a dedicated board of directors comprising representatives from the municipalities, county authorities, and the Sámi indigenous parliament.
Andfjorden is one of 36 areas included in Norway’s Marine Protection Plan from 2004. Following today’s decision, 24 of these areas have now been protected. At the same time, the proportion of protected areas within the territorial waters off mainland Norway will increase from approximately 4.8 to 6%.
The announcement follows a spate of similar designations around the world. GNN has recently reported on marine reserves being added in the Coral Triangle, around Papua New Guinea, Easter Island, and along the Turkish Mediterranean coastline.
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