Seismic surveys disturb Lofoten fishermen

Seismic surveys that are currently under way in Norway’s Lofoten waters in the Arctic are generating heated opposition from local politicians and the fishing industry. The mayors of all the townships in the area told Environment Minister Erik Solheim when he visited the scenic archipelago in mid-July that they were against offshore drilling for oil, the newspaper Aftenposten reported. Solheim, whose Socialist Left party also opposes drilling, said that the government had made no formal decision on the issue.

Solheim suggested that if Lofoten is added to UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites, drilling would be prohibited once and for all, and that local governments should step up their efforts to win UNESCO recognition. The country’s fishing industry is concerned that the seismic activities are scaring away fish stocks. “What has happened should be a reminder and a warning to all our cooperation partners that we in the future will no longer accept these kinds of methods,” said Reidar Nilsen, the head of the Norwegian Fishery Association.

—Sarah Hurst