Norwegian fjords Luka Tomac1

As a diverse group of environmental organizations in the countries surrounding the North and Barents Sea, we are writing to you to urge you not to allow dumping of mining waste in the Norwegian fjords.

We are aware of the plans to dump 300 million tons of toxic mining waste in Førdefjord on the West coast, and 30 million tons in Repparfjord in the North of Norway, and are deeply worried about the consequences this will have for the marine life and the ecosystems of the fjords, which are an integrated and important part of the wider ocean which we all depend on.

The Norwegian fjords are internationally known as a premier tourism destination, having received several awards from National Geographic because of their pristine and beautiful nature, combined with the local culture. Førdefjord is located in the centre of this world-renowned fjord landscape, hosting a rich biodiversity of several endangered IUCN red listed species, important cod stocks, Atlantic salmon, sea eagles, shoals of porpoise and orcas. Fisheries and sea food production is an important industry, and at the same time the local village Vevring is famous for its arts exhibitions and vibrant network of artists.

Norway is one of the world’s premier seafood nations, based on the clean fjords and coast, contributing to the world’s food supply with 38 million meals of seafood every day. The fjords and their connected rivers are also very important for the Atlantic salmon, which Norway has a special responsibility to protect. As both Førdefjorden and Repparfjord are designated “National salmon fjords” it is especially important to keep the ecosystems in these fjords healthy.  The Atlantic salmon is also itself the foundation of an important tourism sector through salmon fishing.

Dumping of toxic mining waste therefore not only threatens the species-rich ecosystems of the fjords, but also existing industries in fisheries, seafood and tourism, and thereby the livelihoods of a large number of people. We have problems understanding why Norway, usually known for good environmental standards, would want to be one of only five countries in the world still to dispose of mining waste in sub-marine environments. It is in the world’s interest that Norway stops dumping toxic mining waste into the sea.

We take note of the fact that the Norwegian Environment Agency, the Directorate of Fisheries and the Institute of Marine Research are all opposing the plans to dump mining waste in Førdefjord, and we urge you to listen to these experts and protect Førdefjord and the other Norwegian fjords against the dumping of mining waste, which includes large amounts of chemicals and heavy metals.

Sincerely

Friends of the Earth International

Jagoda Munić

chairperson

Greenpeace International

Kumi Naidoo

Executive Director

Friends of the Earth Europe

Magda Stoczkiewicz

Director

Young Friends of the Earth Europe

Maruska Mileta

Steering group member

Birdlife Europe

Angelo Caserta

Regional Director

European Environmental Bureau

Jeremy Wates

Secretary General

Ecoropa

Europe

Christine von Weizsaecker

President

International Public Organization “Ecopartnership”

Belarus

Alina Bushmovich

Chief Executive

Clean water

Belarus

Konstantsin Chykalau

Director

Association of agronomists and tourismologists of Republic of Srpska “Rada”

Bosnia

Slaven Jelić

President

Center for Environment

Bosnia

Natasa Crnkovic

President

Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation

Bulgaria

Radostina Tzenova

Director

Hnuti DUHA

Czech Republic

Jiri Kozelouh

campaigns director

Estonian Green Movemement

Estonia

Meriliis Kotkas

Board member

Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND)

Germany

Olaf Bandt

Director

Rettet den Regenwald e. V.

Germany

Reinhard Behrend

Forum Ökologie & Papier

Germany

Evelyn Schönheit und Jupp Trauth

Pro Wildlife e.V.

Germany

Dr. Christoph Schmidt

Chair

Landvernd, Icelandic Environment Association

Iceland

Gudmundur Hordur Gudmundsson

Chair

Bellona-Murmansk

Russia

Andrey Zolotkov

Chairman

Kola Environmental Centre

Russia

Alexandr Zaitsev

Chairperson

Jordens Vänner

Sweden

Ellie Cijvat

Chair

Pro Natura

Switzerland

Dr Urs Leugger-Eggimann

Director

BirdLife Switzerland

Switzerland

Werner Müller

Executive Director

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

UK

Nia Stephens

People and Wildlife Officer

North Sea Wildlife Trusts

UK

Dr Leigh Michael Howarth

North Sea Marine Advocacy Officer

Buglife

UK

Matt Shardlow

Chief Executive

NGO Ecoclub

Ukraine

Andriy Martynyuk

Chief of the Board

National Ecological Centre of Ukraine

Ukraine

Yury Urbansky

executive director

Friends of the Earth US

USA

Marcie Keever

Oceans & Vessels Program Director