Despite major criticism from the local fishing industry and from environmental groups, the Norwegian oil ministry these days starts up seismic scanning in the Lofoten waters.
The decision has already made environmental organisation Bellona send a ship towards the area. Bellona leader Frederic Hauge says the seismic scanning is “very worrying considering that this the spawning season for the fish”. He does not rule out that civil disobedience against the seismic vessel will be initiated, NRK reports.
The seismic activities got green light from government after a compromise was found between the Ministry of Oil and Energy and the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs. According to the agreement, the seismic activities will be halted in the period of haddock fishing. In addition, the seismic vessel will stay at least 50 km off the coast in order to not disturb the spawning cod, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate writes in a press release.
The Lofoten waters are believed to conceal major amounts of oil, and the Norwegian oil industry considers the area among the most promising on the Norwegian shelf. The seismic scanning will this summer be conducted on the Troms-II and Nordland VII blocks.
The fish industry remains highly sceptical towards the plans. The seismic vessels are believed to scar the fish away from the fishing grounds. The Lofoten waters area considered among the most important and most vulnerable fishing areas in the Norwegian north.
Map: Lofoten waters (npd.no)
