Norway has established a new marine protected area covering an area of nearly 1,850 square kilometers. This territory is intended to protect the underwater world, which includes coral reefs, kelp beds, whales, seabirds, and rich fish populations.
The Andøfjord zone was officially established on September 18th and covers waters in the northern part of Nordland and the southern part of Troms, including the municipalities of Andøy, Harstad, and Senja. According to Good News Network, the protected area spans about 714 square miles, equivalent to the area of almost 260,000 football fields.
Andøfjord features exceptional diversity of marine habitats, including coral reefs, coral gardens, sponge communities, and sandy shoals. Furthermore, kelp beds, shell-laden sandy bottoms, and merl outlets serve as important sites for spawning, juvenile growth, and feeding numerous species of fish.
The waters in this zone support abundant fish stocks, as well as large numbers of whales and seabirds, making it significant for both marine biodiversity and wildlife enthusiasts.
Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment, Sigrun Aalstrand, stated that this protection will help ensure that future generations can enjoy and utilize the natural environment of Andøfjord.
Areas of Special Biodiversity Value
The new protected area includes several zones where particularly valuable and vulnerable biodiversity is observed. These areas will have stricter restrictions on activities compared to the rest of the marine protected area. The broader designation provides a framework for activities such as fishing, tourism, space activities, and defense operations.
The management of the zone will be carried out by a special committee for protected areas, composed of representatives from local municipalities, county authorities, and the Sámi Parliament. Andøfjord is one of 36 territories included in Norway's Marine Protection Plan from 2004. With the latest designation, protection now extends to 24 of these areas.
The Norwegian government reports that the share of protected waters in the territorial sea around mainland Norway will increase from approximately 4.8% to 6%. This step is part of broader global efforts to protect marine ecosystems, as new and existing protected areas are being created and expanded in several regions.
For travelers, Andøfjord represents another reason to head north when exploring Norway, where impressive coastal landscapes are complemented by a rich underwater marine environment.