Training civil disobedience in Lofoten waters

It is the Nature and Youth organization which organized the training camp for the people aged 13 to 24. A part of the camp program was training on civil disobedience against the oil industry. Tens of environmentalists put on survival suits and threw themselves into the water, something they might in the future have to do to stagger approaching drilling rigs and oil and gas vessels. -This is no game, Bente Lorentzen from the Nature and Youth organization says to newspaper Aftenposten. She maintains that she will not hesitate to throw herself in the water in front of tankers or rigs, should it be necessary. Ms. Lorentzen, herself from the area, says Lofoten should remain an attractive fishery and tourist area. She stresses that she is ready to do whatever it takes to stop oilmen from intervening in the area. -To stop this is absolutely the most important thing in my life, she underlines to the newspaper. Oil exploration in the Lofoten waters has become a hot issue in the ongoing parliament election campaign. Environmentalists say the area, which is believed to hide major oil resources, should remain untouched by the industry. The oil industry is increasing pressure on the authorities to get access to the resources. The Lofoten waters are important fishery areas and the picturesque landscape of the archipelago is a beloved tourist destination.