This region is particularly valuable ecologically because it is here that the cold, nutrient-rich Arctic currents meet the warmer Atlantic currents and the Gulf Stream, creating the ideal conditions for massive plankton growth. This in turn acts as the basis for a highly productive marine food web. Most of Norway’s most important commercial fish species spawn and grow to adulthood in the region, creating the base for Norway’s large fishing industry, as well as those of Russia and Iceland. The edge of the continental shelf, known as Eggakanten, is also relatively close inshore around Lofoten, creating excellent local conditions and bottom currents in which deep-water Lophelia coral reefs thrive. These biodiversity hotspots are also home to many bottom-feeding fish and other benthic species.

Lofoten is the primary spawning ground for the Norwegian-Arctic cod, the last remaining healthy, large cod population in the world. The eggs and larvae are carried up to the Barents Sea on the warm currents where they grow and mature, only to return to Lofoten after approximately seven years in order to mate and spawn again. Large parts of the populations of other fish species like saithe, herring, capelin and haddock also move into the coastal areas around Lofoten–Vesterålen to breed, following a similar pattern as the cod, only with shorter life-cycles. This area is thus the most important area for the most sensitive period in the life-cycles of important commercial fish species.

The high fish productivity in this region in turn attracts many species of whales, seals and other cetaceans close inshore. Andøya is one of the world’s best whale-watching locations and is an important area for sperm whales. The marine life serves also as food base for a high diversity of marine bird life, including Europe’s largest puffin colonies on the islands of Røst in Lofoten and Gjesværstappan near North Cape. Many of Europe’s rare and vulnerable bird species feed, breed, moult and over-winter in this same area. Lofoten -Vesterålen contains hundreds of seabird cliff colonies of Atlantic puffin, cormorant, shag, kittiwake, guillemot and seas eagles to name but a few.

The high biodiversity in the area combined with the critical life-cycle stages in many fish species in a relatively small area make the ecosystem especially vulnerable to marine pollution. All biological processes are slow due to the low annual average temperatures, and ecosystem recovery takes a long time after pollution incidents. The harsh environment, particularly during the long, dark winter period, makes petroleum operations dangerous and the mitigation of accidents extremely difficult. If a major oil spill happens in winter, it may be impossible to mitigate before the sun rises again in spring. Fish larvae are particularly vulnerable to oil pollution, and even small amounts of oil can kill seabirds directly through fouling and indirectly through the food web.

WWF has prepared a comprehensive report, outlining what is known about the biodiversity in the Barents Sea region >>

Read more about deep-water Lophelia coral reefs >>

Save the Lofoten Islands!

Why Lofoten is so special

Oil companies pressure for access

Increased oil tanker traffic and lack of emergency plans

Over-fishing, factory fishing and bottom trawling

An Integrated Management Plan for Lofoten and Barents Sea: An opportunity that must not be lost