Some fishermen in Norway’s dominating fishing district of Lofoten are threatening to block an upcoming seismic survey they claim is threatening their fisheries.
Others have accepted an offer of financial compensation in return for remaining in harbour while the tests by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate are carried out in their region.
By law, the fishermen have first rights to the waters, and the protesters say they will put out their nets and lines in order to block the survey.
In connection with the acquisition of seismic data in Vesteraalen just north of Lofoten, the Petroleum Directorate will carry out a study of the startle effects of such activities on a number of important commercial fish species.
In addition to learning more about how different species of fish react to the seismic shock waves, researchers say they will study how long it takes for fishing to normalise after seismic data acquisition is completed. They claim it to be the largest project of its kind, unique in a global context.