Climate and energy minister Ola Elvestuen (V) on Sunday opened the new national park “Lofotodden” at the far end of Lofoten.
The national park is located along the entire outer side of Moskenesøya, at the very end of the archipelago in the municipalities of Moskenes and Flakstad. The majority of the park land area is 86 km², while 13 km² is sea area.
“The new national park has landscape and nature that is not found in other Norwegian protected areas. We take care of the distinctive and unique landscape with narrow high peaks surrounded by open sea areas and deep fjords,” says Minister of Climate and Environment Ola Elvestuen (V).
Parts of the protected area are today popular tourist destinations and are widely used for outdoor activities. The establishment of the national park will contribute to facilitating sustainable visits to the area.
The initiative on protection came from the municipalities themselves. I hope the national park will give the municipalities a great opportunity to develop local tourism in a good and sustainable way.
The area now protected has several nesting areas for seabirds, shags and black guillemots. There are also colonies of black-legged kittiwake, sea eagles and king eagles. Red-listed species such as the twite, Arctic skua and sand piper have their habitats here.
Lofoten is one of the areas that became ice-free at the earliest. Therefore, we also find some of the oldest occurrences of some rock plants right here.
The sea areas that are protected are the shallow water areas. All activity related to fishing can therefore continue as before. Adjustments have also been made to any future power generation.
Lofotodden becomes national park number 40 on the Norwegian mainland.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
