Extensive Training Activity in the High North With US Carrier Strike Group The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has recently been training with Norwegian and other allied forces off the coast of Northern Norway. "Our partnership with US forces is close despite changes in US security policy," says the Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters.
Russia Warns Norway of Retaliation Over Fishing Companies Ban: “Must Be Taken Seriously” "The fisheries cooperation between Norway and Russia has survived several previous crises, but none can be compared to the situation we are currently facing," says Anne-Kristin Jørgensen, Senior Researcher at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.
A Breakdown That Could Lead to an Ecological Disaster Comment: If anyone still wonders whether Norway is deeply involved in Russia's war against Ukraine, they should take a look at the threats against the Norwegian-Russian fisheries agreement. Add a US threat to the Norwegian Oil Fund, and a perfect storm is brewing around two of our most important resources.
Strengthens the Monitoring of GPS Interference in the High North The Norwegian government is establishing a new office for the Norwegian Communications Authority in Tromsø, Northern Norway. "It is important to strengthen security and preparedness in the High North through the increased presence of the authorities," says the Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance.
No New Signs of GPS Interference in the Barents Sea After several reports of GPS disruptions in the Barents Sea at the start of August, the Norwegian Communications Authority has conducted its own examination. No disruptions were discovered this round, but the situation will be closely monitored.
Arctic Guardian 2025: Multilateral Exercise on Maritime Emergency Response off Northern Norway The exercise, which gathers coast guard resources from the seven Western Arctic states, is underway. "In a changing Arctic, it is crucial that we train together, build trust, and understand each other's capabilities," says the Commander of Norway's Coast Guard.
Norway and France Forge Closer Defense Ties With an View to the High North Norway and France recently signed a letter of intent on enhanced defense cooperation, emphasizing the significance of situational awareness and presence in the High North. "Protecting the maritime areas in Northern Europe is the key to European security," says the French minister of defense.
Norway and Russia Decrease Cod Quotas By 25 Percent Next Year Norway and Russia have reached a fishery agreement for next year. "The cod quota for 2025 is the lowest it has been since 1991 and portrays the severity of the situation. The quota was strongly decreased because we want to stop the negative stock development," writes the Norwegian Fishery Ministry.
Marine Researcher on the Decline in the Cod Population: “Not One Sole Cause” The quotas for Northeast Arctic cod will likely not go lower than in 2025, but it will take a few years before there is a significant increase, says marine researcher Bjarte Bogstad in the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research. "We must have low quotas for a few years in order to have a chance at increasing the cod stock again."
Concerns About the Norwegian Cod Quota Situation Next year, the Norwegian cod quota will likely be at its lowest in 30 years. The situation is very serious for major parts of the fishing fleet and particularly dire in the white fish sector, reports the Norwegian Fishermen's Association.
Equinor Strengthens Preparedness in the Barents Sea Equinor will establish and operate a new area-wide emergency preparedness solution for the southwestern Barents Sea. The solution will add new resources, expertise, and capabilities to strengthen safety and emergency preparedness in this ocean area.
Norway’s Navy Chief: ‘High North, Low Tension’ Depends on Our Own Capability At Sea Norway’s government recently launched major investments in the country's naval forces. This will increase important Norwegian presence in the North vis-á-vis Russia, maintains Navy Chief Oliver Berdal. “We must be able to safeguard our maritime interests on an independent basis,” he says.
Russia's Activity in the North Has Changed: "Fewer Civilian Disturbances" The Russian activity pattern in the North has changed since February 24th, 2022, believes a Senior Research Fellow at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment.
How Salmon Farming Could Affect Cod, According To Researchers The fish farming industry is expected to grow in the coming years, particularly in Northern Norway. Marine researchers have examined how salmon farming can impact the Northeast Arctic cod and coastal cod.
Lavrov Stands Firm on Maritime Border Agreements With Norway and the US A call has been made in the Russian State Duma for the termination of agreements on maritime delimitation with Norway in the Barents Sea and the US in the Bering Sea. "One must look at the big picture," responds MFA Sergey Lavrov, pointing to the agreements' benefits to Russia.
Researchers Witness Clear Changes with Significant Consequences for the Barents Sea The Barents Sea, as we knew it, is no more, according to a new scientific publication from Norway's largest collaborative project: The Nansen Legacy.
Tough Times Ahead for Fishers and the Fisheries Industry as Quotas on Important Stocks are Set to Decrease Next year, the cod quotas will be significantly reduced, and a major reduction is also expected in the red king crab quota. The Norwegian Fishermen's Association is worried for both the cod stock and the fishers, who are facing more challenging years.
Russia Conducted Nuclear Exercise in the North Russia's nuclear forces have practiced launching ballistic missiles in the Barents Sea and the Arkhangelsk region, according to the Kremlin on Wednesday. After a parliamentary decision the same day, the country will soon be out of the nuclear testing moratorium. At the same time, NATO has just concluded its nuclear exercise in Southern Europe.
Norway and Russia Reached a Fisheries Agreement for 2024 Norwegian and Russian authorities have set next year's fishing quotas for the Barents Sea. "The agreement ensures a long-term and sustainable ocean management in the High North," says Norway's Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Cecilie Myrseth.
US Icebreaker Healy On Succesful Research Voyage in the Siberian Arctic Tromsø (High North News): The US' largest and most technologically advanced coast guard vessel, the icebreaker USCGC Healy, has visited Tromsø after an international research voyage in the Eastern Arctic Ocean. In previous years, this voyage has been conducted with Russian icebreakers.
Russia Fishes Less and Less Cod in the Norwegian Zone in the Barents Sea Significantly lower catch figures are reported from Russian trawlers fishing in the Norwegian economic zone in the Barents Sea. If cod fishing were to increase in the Russian zone, it is worrying, says the Chairman of the Norwegian Fishermen's Association, Kåre Heggebø.
Russia Fishes Less and Less Cod in the Norwegian Zone in the Barents Sea Significantly lower catch figures are reported from Russian trawlers fishing in the Norwegian economic zone in the Barents Sea. If cod fishing were to increase in the Russian zone, it is worrying, says the Chairman of the Norwegian Fishermen's Association, Kåre Heggebø.
Joint Norwegian-Russian Research Voyage in the Barents Sea The research cooperation between Norway and Russia is one of the few joint platforms of collaboration that still exist after Russia's invasion of Ukraine almost two years ago. Now, research ships from Norway and Russia are on their annual research voyage in the Barents Sea.
Russian Strategic Bombers With New Flight Over the Western Barents Sea On Monday, two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers flew in international airspace over the western part of the Barents Sea. They were accompanied by four MiG-31 fighter jets, as well as two II-78 tanker aircraft. The group was identified by Norwegian F-35 fighter jets.
The Russian Northern Fleet With Frequent Exercises in the Barents Sea and the White Sea This week, the Russian Northern Fleet's destroyer Admiral Ushakov practices live-fire shooting in the Barents Sea – and the anti-submarine ship Onega practices submarine hunting in the White Sea. With this, the fleet has carried out 11 smaller exercises so far in May.
The Russian Northern Fleet in Major Training Activity Air and naval forces of the Russian Northern Fleet are in motion for two exercises this week. One focuses on protecting Russia's economic activity and communications in Arctic waters, while the other consists of submarine hunting.
From Sea King to SAR Queen: It Will Mean A Lot for Us in the North After nearly fifty years of service along the mountains and coast of Nordland, Northern Norway, the rescue helicopter Sea King will now be replaced by the SAR Queen. In terms of preparedness, the change is a milestone for the people in Nordland, says Captain Remi Olsen at the 330 Squadron in Bodø.
Researcher on New Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Agreement: “Shows How Important the Cooperation Is for Both Parties” Neither Russia nor Norway seemed to have played on the current tense situation in the fisheries negotiations. In the agreement for 2023, they are following the researchers' quota advice in an exemplary manner. A solid sign of the cooperation's great value for both parties, says senior researcher.
Researcher on New Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Agreement: “Shows How Important the Cooperation Is for Both Parties” Neither Russia nor Norway seemed to have played on the current tense situation in the fisheries negotiations. In the agreement for 2023, they are following the researchers' quota advice in an exemplary manner. A solid sign of the cooperation's great value for both parties, says senior researcher.
Researcher on New Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Agreement: “Shows How Important the Cooperation Is for Both Parties” Neither Russia nor Norway seemed to have played on the current tense situation in the fisheries negotiations. In the agreement for 2023, they are following the researchers' quota advice in an exemplary manner. A solid sign of the cooperation's great value for both parties, says senior researcher.
Norway and Russia Reached a Fisheries Agreement for 2023 After digital negotiations, Norwegian and Russian authorities have now set next year's fishing quotas for the Barents Sea. However, the agreement may be suspended by Russia if Norway tightens its port ban further.
Norwegian and British Vessels Patrolled in the Barents Sea - Shadowed By Russian Navy "We are acting professionally towards each other and are not experiencing any aggression or irregularities after the war in Ukraine broke out," says the acting head of the Norwegian Naval Fleet.
Finnmark Police: Increased Patrolling at Critical Infrastructure in the Petroleum Industry After the incidents in the Baltic Sea and observations made in the North Sea, the Finnmark Police has increased its presence around important infrastructure in the county's oil and gas industry by the border to Russia. Equinor has also taken its own security measures at its gas plant on Melkøya.
