Tour operator in Svalbard fined NOK 75,000
The tour operator violated a traffic ban that applies within a 300-meter zone from land and surrounding islands in the Kongsfjorden nature reserve for birds in Svalbard. (Photo: Peter Prokosch/GRID Arendal)
The Governor of Svalbard has fined a foreign tour operator for violating a traffic ban in the Kongsfjorden nature reserve. “We take the incident very seriously”, says the Governor's Police Attorney.
On Tuesday, the Governor of Svalbard announced that a foreign tour operator has been fined NOK 75,000 for violating a traffic ban in the Kongsfjorden nature reserve for birds.
Svalbard has 15 reserves for birds in which all traffic is prohibited during the nesting period from 15 May to 15 August.
The company's expedition leader has also been fined NOK 20,000 for the same violation.
It was on Sunday 22 July that several small boats from an expedition vessel entered the nature reserve at Prins Heinrich Island and Dietricholmen and with that, violated the traffic ban that also applies within a 300-meter zone surrounding islands.
The Governor of Svalbard received several reports about the incident and documentation from witnesses.
“We take the incident very seriously and hope that people traveling in the vulnerable nature of Svalbard comply with the restrictions”, says Governor's Police Attorney Magnus Rindal Fredriksen.
