Paves way for compromise

Published 16.04.2010 08:51:07 by Elisabeth Kolstad

Election researcher Per Arnt Pettersen believes a conditional protection of the sea offshore Lofoten and Vesterålen may be the compromise that could keep the Norwegian coalition government together.

"If the governing parties manage to compromise on the issue, it will most likely include a protection that allows for recovery under certain conditions - sometime in the future," says Professor Per Arnt Pettersen at Bodø University College to NTB.

He believes that the Labour Party holds the key to how the hot potato can be resolved, as it has to put an end to the current government.

"Neither the Socialist Party or the Center Party can agree to a clear yes, and the Socialist Party has also refused to open for individual areas. I think Labour will say yes to oil drilling, but how the decision will be formulated, is an entirely different matter".

Thursday a 300-page technical report that summarises the researchers' knowledge about the condition of those waters as well as the impact of any oil industry was published.

Ammunition to both parties

Reactions to the report was relatively predictable. Both opponents and supporters of the oil found new ammunition to the battle that is expected to be take place in the government in the next few weeks and months.

"The report shows that the risk of uncontrolled emissions is minor, but the consequences can be dramatic, both from small and large spills. I do not hide the fact that I am a member of the Socialist Party, which advocates for the environment, "said Environment Minister Erik Solheim to NTB.

The leader of the Center Party Liv Signe said the report does not change the party's stance that the Lofoten and Vesterålen will be closed during this period.

"We prefer a precautionary principle and hope that the report will make it easier to find a compromise in government. A decision must be academically based, "she said.

"Stoltenberg must take a position"

In the Conservative Party, the tone is a completely different one. Party leader Erna Solberg said the report shows that the probability of extensive damage from oil spills resulting from oil and gas sector is minor.

" I expect Labour to take a stand for future petroleum operations in the areas off Lofoten and Vesterålen, "said Erna Solberg. She said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (Ap) ought to take a position as to whether there should be an impact assessment or not.

"The likelihood of oil spills in the Lofoten Islands and Barents Sea is low, but the consequences of a spill can be large, "said Bjorn Fossli Johansen when he presented the scientific basis for the revision of the management plan for Lofoten and Barents Sea.

Fossli Johansen, head of the research groups behind the report, said research shows a high potential for environmental consequences.

"On the other hand, the tendency shows that most likely the small clips of consequences will have minor consequences, "he said.

No change

Th scientists did not change the definition of what is considered particular valuable and vulnerable areas in the report. This applies to the entire coastline from the Western area to Vardo with a detour up to Eggakanten. Most of the northern Barents Sea and the so-called polar front that runs west of Svalbard is also recognized as particularly valuable and vulnerable areas.

The now closed and the disputed area south and west of the Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja, also known as Nordland 6, 7 Nordland and Troms 2, are within this definition.

Meanwhile, scientists are now able to create a more are attracted map of large bottom areas within the closed areas not defined as particularly vulnerable.

"But with a holistic approach, we not only look at the seabed. We take an overall assessment of the area. Then the worrying decline in the seabird populations in the areas off Lofoten and Vesterålen makes the area more vulnerable than before, "said Bjorn Fossli Johansen said.

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