Andfjorden becomes Norway’s largest marine protected area
News story | Date: 18/09/2026 | Ministry of Climate and Environment
The Government has today established the Andfjorden Marine Protected Area in the municipalities of Andøy, Harstad and Senja. Covering approximately 1,848.5 km², the protected area is equivalent to almost 260,000 football pitches.
‘Andfjorden is home to rich and varied nature, both above and below the surface. It contributes both to our food supply and to unique nature experiences. The protection will help ensure that future generations can also enjoy the natural values of Andfjorden,’ says Minister of Climate and Environment Sigrun Aasland.
Rich natural values and a wide range of activities
The protected area covers waters in the northernmost part of Nordland and the southernmost part of Troms. It has a diverse range of marine habitats, including coral reefs, coral gardens, sponge communities and sea-pen communities. Kelp forests, shell-sand seabeds and maerl beds provide important spawning, nursery and feeding grounds for many fish species. The area is also home to abundant fish populations and large numbers of whales and seabirds.
The protection provides a common framework for activities such as fisheries, space activities and defence operations, while giving particularly strong protection to the natural environment. The protected area includes several zones containing particularly valuable and vulnerable biodiversity. Restrictions on activities are stricter in these zones than in the rest of the protected area.
‘This shows that we can protect nature effectively while also facilitating fisheries, space activities and tourism. I would like to commend the municipalities, local communities and all users of the area for their excellent cooperation in establishing this protected area. I am confident that everyone will contribute to ensuring that the new protected area is well looked after,’ says Sigrun Aasland.
A protected area board will manage the area
The protected area will be managed by a dedicated protected area board comprising representatives from the municipalities, county authorities and the Sámi Parliament.
‘The protection of Andfjorden is also a milestone in our efforts to protect marine areas and an important contribution to achieving the international targets set out in the Global Biodiversity Framework,’ says the Minister of Climate and Environment.
Andfjorden is one of 36 areas included in Norway’s Marine Protection Plan from 2004. Following today’s decision, 24 of these areas have now been protected. At the same time, the proportion of protected areas within the territorial waters off mainland Norway will increase from approximately 4.8 to 6 per cent.
Protection of Andfjorden to be marked on Andøya
To celebrate the establishment of the protected area, an event will be held on Andøya on Tuesday 6 October. The Minister of Climate and Environment will be among those attending.