More guidelines for “cruises activities” in Svalbard ?
Feel free to drop your views, ideas…on this below subject under the category “Your Forum”
More and more people are visiting Svalbard and this will certainly increase in the future. At the same time, visitors are to follow strictly the current laws and regulations applicable to its land and waters (for instance the Svalbard’s Environmental Protection Act of June 2001) in order to respect its unique and fragile wilderness and nature.
In addition to the existing legislation, AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) wish to ensure the implementation in Svalbard of global self regulations guidelines applicable to Svalbard’s AECO members cruises activities, expeditions and staff.
The main objective is to define efficiently all aspects of their activities to guarantee better safe and environmental friendly tour operations on Svalbard. AECO recon in its report dated May 15, 2005 that the best way to secure the access to the public to the more remote areas of the archipelageo of Svalbard is through professional and sound organisation and management.
In this respect, they want to highlight and define the role of expedition staff leaders and guides. Many recommendations are underlined by the AECO in their report.
Let us put forward several examples of “cruise rules” made by them =>
– employ staff with relevant experience, 1 guide per 20 visitors or less on landings, depending on local conditions or restrictions…etc…;
– avoid congregations of more than 30 visitors at any one spot at any one time…etc…;
– walrus on land : …30 meters is a minimum buffer zone, so never go closer than 30 meters irrespective of how undisturbed they might seem…but one should keep at least at 150 meters when mothers are with their calves…;
– the expedition leader is encouraged to visit the governor’s office in the beginning of the season to receive updated information on conditions and other relevant information. If possible also at the last call to report special incidents, observations…;…etc…
These rules could be seen by some tourists as very strict.
On the other hand and as stated in the AECO report “the guidelines shall support the AECO members in their efforts to give their visitors true experiences of the unique and fragile arctic nature, wildlife and cultural remains of Svalbard, while at the same time strive to support the protection of the environment for future experience and for the benefit of the arctic nature for its own sake”.
