The Governor of Svalbard has determined that charges against the American
tour operator Quark Expeditions are to be withdrawn. Charge was issued by The
Governor’s field inspectors as they discovered that the operator violated the
protection regulations of Virgohamna.
The tour operator had been granted permission to make a landing with a
total of 36 tourists. Despite the above stipulation the tour operator took
a total of 41 tourists on land June 29, 2009.
Virgohamna is an area containing cultural artefacts and is protected by the
regulations contained within the Directorate for Cultural Heritage. The
Governor of Svalbard can grant exemption to enter Virgohamna under certain
terms and conditions.
The decision means that the police regards the case as closed and no
further action will be taken regarding this matter.