Sweden’s first National Marine Park, close to the border to Norway, was inaugurated royally on September 9 by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon.
An exceptionally deep (200 metres) fjord between the West Coast town of Strömstad and the Koster archipelago has created a unique ecosystem with 6,000 marine species, 200 of which are not found anywhere else in Swedish waters.
The area, one of the most popular visiting grounds among sailing tourists from both Sweden and Norway, has a long tradition of inshore fishery, mostly for prawns and Norwegian lobsters.
The Kosterhavet (“The Koster Sea”, for the two main islands, Nordkoster and Sydkoster) Marine National Park is divided into several zones with varying restrictions for fishermen and tourists. An agreement was worked out nine years ago, “The Koster-Väderö Agreement”, between professional fishermen, scientists and authorities on how to work these waters. The process leading up to the agreement was unique, in that the fishermen did take part, compromises were made – reluctantly – and courses have then been arranged for the fishermen’s education.
As the National Marine Park was officially inaugurated, Swedish Board of Fisheries Director-General Axel Wenblad suggested that a “driver’s license”, involving proved “marine-ecolocical competence” would be required from fishermen wishing to fish there in the future.
He said that history has proved that it is possible to protect its vulnerable environment, and still uphold profitable professional fisheries.
“But it carries with it great responsibilities for the fishermen, and it calls for special competence”, Mr. Wenblad said, adding that he is presently analyzing the possibility to introduce such requirements for “knowledge about the sensitive environments of the national park, and how to protect them”.