Many nations undertake research cruises in Norwegian waters

There are a number of requirements for applicants for undertaking scientific marine research. One such requirement is that Norwegian scientists have the right to participate in the marine research project. Also final results must be submitted to the Directorate of Fisheries when the project is completed. In addition, the Directorate of Fisheries may require the vessel to install satellite tracking equipment.

“Most nations send their applications via the applicant state’s embassy in Norway. Nearly all applications the Directorate of Fisheries receives are approved. However, we have the right to stop all research activity if it deviates substantially from the information provided about the purpose of the research,” says Eilif Sund, adviser at the Directorate of Fisheries’ Resource Management Department.

Many nations
Germany, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Poland and the Netherlands are some of the applicant countries. In 2007 Germany undertook 16 of a total of 47 research cruises in Norwegian territorial waters.

“A large number of the studies conducted involve fisheries monitoring, which are annual surveys of various species in certain areas. These cruises may be based on research programmes in which Norway participate through its membership in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in Copenhagen.”

“Other cruises are aimed at the environment, climate, ocean currents, ice conditions and scientific studies of the continental shelf. Norway has jurisdiction over areas in the Southern Ocean, and some cruises have been close to or around the Bouvet Island, which is considered part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Germany has a large scientific community, and has extensive programmes in the North-east Atlantic, north of Svalbard, and also in the Southern Ocean,” Sund says.

In cases where, for example, the applicant country wishes to undertake seafloor studies on the Norwegian continental shelf, the Directorate of Fisheries must submit the case for comment from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Institute of Marine Research. A final reply is given by the Directorate of Fisheries.

MoreMore a about the cruises
Regulations, application procedures, lists of cruises, purposes of cruises, maps, final results and conclusions from studies are available on the Directorate of Fisheries website, www.fiskeridir.no.