At 2 February 2007 a new
regulation for Kongsfjorden became effective. Therewith a major part of
Kongsfjorden has been closed for commercial fish trawling.
Protection of the Kongsfjorden area
In 2003, Kings Bay AS raised the issue of protecting Kongsfjorden for
research purposes, which was endoresed by The Norwegian
Interdepartmental Polar Committee. Thus, the Norwegian Ministry of
Justice started the process to change the Svalbard Law from 1925 to make
specific regulations possible when industry/business activities will
come in conflict with the research activities on Svalbard.
The first conflict to be addressed was between the fishing industry and
the research activity in Ny-Ålesund. This new regulation will solve this
conflict by protecting an area of the fjord against commercial fishing.
The Regulation (unofficial translation)
§ 1. Purpose of the act
The purpose of the act is to avoid a conflict of interest between
research and fishing by trawl in an area in Kongsfjorden on Svalbard
that has a special value to the research in Ny-Ålesund.
§ 2. Fishing by trawl - extent of the term
This regulation includes all fishing by trawl for commercial reasons.
Fishing by trawl includes also similar activities that could damage the
bottom conditions in the fjord, including trawling for seaweed, kelp,
and shells. Fishing for scientific reasons or whale hunting is not
included in this regulation.
The Governor of Svalbard can in definite cases decide if an activity is
included in the regulation or not.
§ 3. Prohibition against fishing by trawl
All fishing by trawl is prohibited in the following area in Kongsfjorden
on Svalbard.
East of a straight line between the following positions (see map):
A: 78o 58,00'N 11o 19,45'E
B: 79o 02,24'N 11o 15,02'E
C: 79o 00,57'N 11o 29,16'E
D: 79o 03,55'N 11o 38,51'E
The border of the area where fishery activities is prohibited is evident
on the attached map in the scale 1:200.000, dated 18th March 2005. The
Regulation with map is kept at the Ministry of Justice and Police.
§ 4. Inspection
The Governor of Svalbard enforces this regulation. Instructions can be
given to the Coastguard, cf. law 13th June 1997 no. 42 on the Coastguard
§ 12 second section, cf. § 19 third section and § 22.
§ 5. Penalty
Intentional or involuntary violation of provisions given in or in
accordance to this regulation or in complicity, will be given a penalty
according to law 17th July 1925 no. 11 on Svalbard § 4 second section.
§ 6. Coming into effect and changes
This regulation is coming into force immediately. The Ministry of
Justice can conduct changes in this regulation.
(Source: Kings Bay AS)
Read regulation (Norwegian only):
http://www.lovdata.no/cgi-wift/ldles?doc=/sf/sf/sf-20070202-0136.html
Download map (pdf-file)
here. |
|
Kongsfjorden is now protected against commercial fish trawling.
Map
over Kongsfjorden. The yellow line indicates the border of the protected
area. |
