Newsletter: Fishermen’s Association´s protest exit and the scolding of MFO
In recent years, there have been several calls by nuclear submarines to open waters off Tromsø. Here is an American nuclear submarine that carries out what the Armed Forces describes as an "administrative stop" off Kvaløya in October 2016. (Photo: Eirik Bjørklund / Nordlys)
Dear HNN reader! This week, the Northern section of the Norwegian Fishermen's Association has announced that it is leaving the organization as a protest. Skewed distribution of power and decision-making processes are amongst the reasons, and the NFA admits to having understood the gravity of the situation far too late.
The past week has been one of conflicts.
Commander Tor Ivar Strømmen at the Norwegian Defense University College strongly disagrees with the Norwegian government’s decision about participating in the latest exercise in the Barents Sea.
Money and influence holds sway over power and this week, we have also covered a conflict in the Norwegian fish industry. The North Norwegian section of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association is leaving the organization in protest against what it refers to as negative attitudes and skewed distribution of power.
The organization admits that it realized too late the gravity of the situation.
The fact that current Defense Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen has been appointed new Director of the Fisheries Directorate is of little help in the situation.
Touring the Arctic
It was recently announced that the newly appointed US Coordinator for the Arctic Region is currently touring the Arctic. This fits almost too well into the long line of ministers and ambassadors who have spent this autumn strengthening alliances and cooperation in the Arctic.
All this happens while Norway and the USA are renegotiating an agreement dating back to the Cold War about military support.
In addition, NATO wants to strengthen its operational capacity in the Arctic with assistance from the USA. [Norwegian only]
Business and culture
In Alaska, Shell is planning to resume petroleum drilling at sea. That is not uncontroversial.
An uplifting story amidst crises and downward population figures is this one:
In Canada, a young entrepreneur has developed a mobile greenhouse with specialized technology that is able to operate in extreme climates. Today, the company is stronger than ever after its winning the High North Young Entrepreneur Award two years ago.
A little bit of cultural news towards the end: Today, Bodø2024 unveiled a controversial art picture showing 175 naket volunteers posing on one of the mountains surrounding Bodø, Norway. Bodø Bodyscape by Spence Tunick will now be available on public display in Bodø city center.
And finally, some rather dim climate news.
On an Alaskan archipelago, sea otters have vanished by the number in just a few years. This has had major consequences for local flora and fauna.
And after the warmest summer on record in the Arctic, the Arctic sea ice has shrunk to extremely low levels.
So enjoy the seasons while they still last, and do not forget to let us know what goes on in your neighborhood!
Best regards,
Trine Jonassen
News Editor, High North News