Lofoten–Vesterålen: for cod and cod fisheries, but not for oil?

• Published in: ICES Journal of Marine Science
• Main Authors: Misund, Ole Arve, Olsen, Erik
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Journals 2013
• Subjects: VDP::Agriculture and fishery disciplines: 900::Fisheries science: 920::Resource biology: 921; Arctic; Lofoten; Vesterålen; Arctic cod; Gadus morhua; Northeast Arctic cod
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11250/109173; https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fst086; https://doi.org/1095-9289; https://doi.org/1054-3139

Over the last decade, the most controversial issue regarding the management of Norwegian marine waters has been about opening the Lofoten–Vesterålen areas for offshore oil and gas exploration. This paper outlines the political and management processes and reviews the arguments for and against. Our conclusion is that these valuable areas should not be opened for such activity because of their high biological significance as the main spawning grounds for northeast Arctic cod (Gadus morhua) and other important fish stocks in the northeast Arctic waters.