Norwegian fishing vessel operators’ federation Fiskebåt states that the government has failed to take into account input from the fishing industry in the hearing on new oil and gas fields, APA 2026.
Fikebåt has pointed to several areas where increased and new petroleum activity will come into direct conflict with important fisheries for cod, haddock, saithe and pelagic species.
‘These assessments and inputs are scientifically based and are based on updated knowledge about fishing activity, seasonal variations and developments in the resource base,’ said Fiskebåt departmental manager Espen Jacobsen, who states that the fishing industry has long been a constructive partner in the work on coexistence between marine industries.
‘That is precisely why it is very serious that the authorities in practice choose to override key input from the industry in a matter that has great significance for future land use at sea. When the areas are advertised identically to the consultation proposal, the entire consultation process appears to be a mere formality and a sham without real significance,’ Espen Jacobsen said.
‘When the knowledge and experience from the industries that actually use sea areas year-round is not given importance, it also weakens the credibility of the goal and the desire for good coexistence between the industries. The fishing industry is a long-term, renewable and sustainable industry that is completely dependent on access to the sea areas. Yet we experience that considerations for the fisheries are systematically pushed aside when new areas are opened up for petroleum activity,’ he said, adding that the authorities often talk about the importance of good coexistence at sea – but if coexistence is to be more than political speeches and good formulations, he believes the goal of good coexistence must also be reflected in concrete decisions.
‘When central and professionally justified input from the fishing industry does not influence the final call, the authorities send a clear signal about how low a priority the consideration of the fishing industry actually has. This is serious and a very poor starting point for further cooperation and trust between the industries,’ Espen Jacobsen said.
