The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of October 1, 2018
Major stakeholders agree to protect Central Arctic Ocean
Representatives from nine countries and the European Union met this week in Ilulissat, Greenland to sign the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean. The agreement, signed by a number of coastal Arctic countries and fisheries partners and states, temporarily bans unregulated fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean, an area of approximately 2.8 million square kilometers, just in time for the retreat of sea-ice in the region (Eye on the Arctic).
Take 1: This agreement is unprecedented as it represents the first time that stakeholders have come together to proactively protect a marine area before commercial fishing has begun, especially at this scale. The agreement invokes the ‘precautionary principle’, which says that scientific research should be conducted before making environmental management decisions, which was called for by more than 2,000 scientists back in 2012 regarding fishing in the region (TBO, Pew Trusts).
“Love has no borders” in Barents Pride 2018 event
People from both sides of the border gathered together last week to celebrate love and freedom during the second annual Barents Pride. Some 300 participants, mainly from Norway, Finland, and Russia, took part in the festivities which included a parade through the streets of Kirkenes, Norway, and other events (TBO).
Take 2: Barents Pride 2018 provided a chance for participants, particularly those from Russia, to express themselves without fear. In Russia, LGBT communities frequently face pressures including violence and many Russian participants donned masks or signs indicating they did not want their pictures taken. Despite this, the organizers and participants alike are optimistic for a bright future that could, someday, see a Barents Pride event held in Russia (Norwegian Helsinki Committee).
UK aims to put Russia on alert
Britain is significantly stepping up its military presence in the Arctic amid growing concerns about Russian aggression. The United Kingdom’s Defence Secretary has announced that the UK government is drawing up an Arctic defence strategy, which will include deploying 800 commandos to Norway next year and every year for the next decade, alongside Norwegian troops, as well as US and Dutch marines (Montreal Gazette).
Take 3: Britain wants to make its presence known in the Arctic and protect its own interests against the perceived threat from Russian mobilisation (Montreal Gazette). The action is understandable as Russia continues to show off its investments in Arctic military and infrastructure, most recently taking the form of shooting off a new missile in the High Arctic (TBO).
Benny the beluga: an Arctic whale in London
Benny the beluga, currently in the running as the world’s most famous whale, is still foraging and swimming normally according to conservationists. The 3.5m beluga, normally found in Arctic waters, was first spotted in River Thames on September 25th. Since then, Benny has been monitored by concerned scientists and marvelled at by citizens (BBC).
Take 4: Though an impressive pioneer, Benny is at risk as long as he remains in the high traffic Thames estuary and researchers hope that instincts will lead him back to the North Sea and more familiar waters (Phys.org). Conservationists hope that Benny will help bring awareness to the plight of freshwater species (The Independent).
Finnish Sami concerned over exploitative tourism
Finland’s Sami parliament is urging tourism operators to stop engaging in culturally harmful practices, such as passing off non-Sami traditions and cheap wares as authentically Sami. Representatives from the parliament stated that they would like to sanction operators who do not comply with more respectful depictions of Sami people (The Jakarta Post).
Take 5: Although tourism has exploded in the region in recent years, many Sami feel that it is at their expense. A recent project funded by Finland’s Ministry of Culture sought testimony from Sami communities about the negative impact of tourism and found generally that Samis feel they are depicted as ‘magical’ and ‘primitive’ by the tourism industry. This project paved the way for the current proposal by the Sami parliament (The Jakarta Post).