Norway: Fish before oil
The Norwegian deputy minister of Oil and Energy confirms that the fish industry will be given priority in cases with possible conflict with the oil industry.
-We have had a good dialogue for a long time. There is no doubt that the seismic activities must end when the fishermen are out fishing, state secretary Liv Monica Stubholt says to NRK. She maintains that the fish industry will not need to fear for conflicts with the oilmen this spring and summer. Both the fish industry and environmentalists have expressed frustration over the announced new round of seismic studies in the waters outside the vulnerable Lofoten area. They have also indicated that they might consider civil disobedience operations should the oil activities proceed. The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate originally planned to start up a new round of seismic studied in the area after 15 May. The Lofoten waters are an important spawning area for several fish stocks. The area is also considered one of the most prospective areas by the Norwegian oil and gas industry.
