Question mark on seismic studies outside Spitsbergen
Over the last years, the Norwegian oil industry has been allowed to conduct seismic studies in the waters outside Spitsbergen. Now, the governor of the archipelago questions the effects of the activities on the marine environment.
Environmental adviser in the Governors office, Mr. Tor Punsvik, says to NRK that the consequences of the seismic mapping on animal life should be studied. The statement from the Svalbard Governors office comes as public debates over the seismic mapping along the Lofoten areas in northern Norway are intensifying. Environmentalists and the fish industry argue that the seismic activities scare away the fish and have negative impact on the local marine environment.
