Norway

PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS


Research areas of the Norwegian Polar Research Institute Ny Alesund Svalbard,Norway


Because Norway is a major fishing nation, WWF Norway monitors the government`s policies on this issue. We want to avoid the situation of the late 1960`s when our fishing fleet - highly supported by governmental subsidies, overfished the herring population to near extinction. Still, 30 years after, the spawning population is well below the historical level experienced in the 1960`s. The herring decline was followed by a serious decline in the puffin populations which feed their chicks on herring. As one of several measures to conserve marine ecosystems. WWF Norway supports the international initiative to establish the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which is a system for independent certification of fish products fished in a sustainable way.


Another major question in Norway is conservation of the Atlantic salmon, which faces severe decline, caused by acid rain, general development along spawning rivers, and competition with salmon escaped from aquaculture farms. WWF is working on an international report which focuses on all threats facing our salmon stocks and on finding solutions.

WWF Norway is a major player in the discussion about conservation of whales. WWF Norway is ready to accept sustainable and small-scale coastal whaling under supervision by the Internatioal Whaling Commission (IWC).


Sperm Whale diving very close to the Whale watching boat Norway

WWF Norway is also involved in the conservation of the marine ecosystems in the Arctic, by promoting the establishment of a biosphere reserve in the Barents Sea and making Svalbard the best protected wilderness area in the whole Arctic. We also try to assist the process of establishing a network of marine reserves along the Norwegian coast.






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