The goal of management is that Svalbard's wildlife should remain virtually untouched, meaning that exploitation of species, intervention and disturbances should be restricted, so that a healthy balance between populations can he sustained.

Protection of animals

The main rule in Svalbard is that all animals, as well as eggs, nests and lairs, are protected. Thus, it is illegal to chase, disturb or put down animals. However, hunting and fishing of certain specified species is permitted. You will find more about this under the heading " Hunting and Fishing for Non-Resident Visitors" and " Hunting and Fishing for Residents".

Protection of plants

Moreover, all plants are protected, in the sense that it is prohibited to damage or remove them. An exception has been made for lawful traffic, for authorised activities and the picking of mushrooms, seaweed and kelp for private purposes, as well as for the collection of plants for research or education, assuming that no serious harm comes to the stocks in question.

Responsibilities

Management of species involves various responsibilities, such as those of:

• protecting important habitats in Svalbard from intervention, disturbances and the effects of local activities;
• continued rigorous protection of species and important habitats for selected species;
• continued regulation of hunting and fishing in fresh water so that stocks may develop unhampered by human intervention; at the same time, within reasonable limits, permitting recreational hunting for the local population;
• protecting migrating and border-crossing species and their habitats outside Svalbard, by means of participation in international activities.

Various tasks

In terms of species management, the government has obligations with regard to hunting and fishing: exemption applications need to be processed, and the condition of various stocks needs to be monitored. The polar bear issue is particularly salient: it needs to be followed up with information and measures to pre-empt confrontations between bears and humans. Moreover, bears that get shot in self-defence or for other reasons have to be handled.