[Click on the map to see more details on the area]

1. Ofoten – Tysfjorden – Vestfjorden:


Extreme concentration of environmental values. Currents and diverse ocean bottom and fjord systems cause an accumulation of plankton. This plankton serves as a food base for spawning Norwegian-Arctic cod, costal cod and haddock. Herring and killer whales over-winter in this area, which has a unique ecology, a strong cultural tradition and is a driving force in the Barents Sea’s ecosystem.

2. Røstbanken – Eggakanten – Andfjorden:
Key area in the lifecycles of cod, haddock and herring. Here, as with Vestfjorden, you will find a concentration of marine life the most vulnerable stage of its lifecycle. The foundation of the Norwegian-Arctic cod stock is laid here, which in turn forms the basis for the breeding and over-wintering of an array of seabirds along the entire northern coast. The steep Eggakanten (continental shelf edge) with its strong currents is home to a number of corrals and sponges (“the rainforests of the sea”) and is an important area for sperm whales.

3. Tromsøflaket – Lopphavet:
Plankton, along with larvae and fish young from spawnings further south, accumulate on the shallow banks of Tromsøflaket. The area is thus critical for the vulnerable stages of the lifecycle of many fish species. Capelin spawn along the coast. Large colonies of sponges and corals support many fish species. The high density of eggs, larvae and young fish makes this an important area for seabirds, many of which hunt for food as far out as 100km offshore. The bird colonies on Fugleøyene, Loppa, Hjelmsøya og Gjesværstappan stand out as important areas.

4. Tanafjorden – Kongsfjorden – Varangerfjorden:
Very important spawning ground for Capelin. Large populations of breeding, migrating and over-wintering seabirds. The Tana river is the country’s premier salmon river, and Varangerfjorden is the only east-artic species fjord in Norway.

5. Eggakanten (continental shelf edge):
Cold and warm water merge along Eggakanten which creates a high production potential. The currents make Eggakanten an ideal spot for sponges and corrals. The reefs function as a growth habitat, hiding place and food store, and there is usually more fish here than in the surrounding areas. The reefs are subject to destruction by trawling. Greenland halibut spawn here.

6. Southern Barents:
Banks and shallows with high primary production and biodiversity due to the polar front, where the Atlantic and polar bodies of water merge. Habitat for seabirds, cod, capelin and haddock.

7. Bjørnøya (Bear Island) area:
Bjørnøya is a unique and isolated island on a highly productive sea shelf, surrounded by the polar front, the ice edge and shallow banks. Light and melting ice makes for an enormous surface production. High density of fish, krill and sea birds during the Spring feeding period raises the vulnerability of the area. The national Department of Fisheries frequently closes the area around Bjørnøya to protect young cod. Oil spills in ice-bound waters is a major threat.

8. Hopen Deep:
This is a highly productive part of the ocean, especially along the polar front, the ice edge and on shallow banks. The entire region and the banks are of major importance to sea urchins, sea cucumbers, cod, haddock, capelin, polar cod and halibut. There is a large population of shrimp and many species of baleen whales in Hopen Deep.

9. Southern Svalbard (Spitzbergen):

Highly productive feeding and growth areas for cod and haddock. Large population of shrimp in the deep channels. The area of Hopen is a crucial spawing and over-wintering ground for capelin. The ice edge is a key area for breeding pelagic alcidae (Auks) on southern Spitsbergen. Important area for marine mammals and polar bears.