– No petroleum in Lofoten
A new opionon poll shows that almost 50 percent of people living in the three northernmost counties of Norway are against searches for oil and gas outside the coast of Lofoten and Vesteralen.
While most local politicians in northern Norway are arguing for more oil and gas exploration, it seems like people in general are more divided in their opinions. A survey done by NRK show that 47 percent is against opening the Lofoten and Vesterålen areas for searches after oil and gas, while only 30 percent is positive to such searches. The rest of the asked have not decided yet what they mean on this issue.
It is the enormous fish resources in the same area which causes the heavy debate. Fishing has been the most important income for most people in this area in all times. Therefore there is a great fear that the petroleum industry can jeopardise the future of the fishing industry.