The purpose of managing animal species in Svalbard is to protect, to the extent possible, naturally occurring species. This means that hunting and fishing must not affect the stocks. Thus, Svalbard's animals are generally protected, although controlled and limited hunting is allowed in the case of some few species.

Birds

Visitors can hunt Svalbard ptarmigan, glaucus gull, Brünnick's guillemot, black guillemot, northern fulmar and pink-footed goose. There is a quota restriction of five Svalbard ptarmigans per non-resident visitor per day. You have to obtain a hunting licence at the Governor's Office and it costs NOK 200.

Seal

Visitors can hunt ringed seal and bearded seal. In order to hunt seal, you  need a hunting licence that can be obtained at the Governor's Office. Hunting licences for seal are free. In order to hunt seal you have to show documents proving that you have passed the big-game-license test.

Fishing

Non-resident anglers are allowed to catch arctic char with a rod or jig in fresh-water outside the nature reserves. Fishing gear needs to be disinfected if it has been used anywhere but in Svalbard. You do, however, need a fishing license, which is free and is issued by the Governor of Svalbard.

The hunting license test

To hunt in Svalbard you need to pass a hunting licence test.  People permanently settled abroad need not take the hunting license test if they can prove they meet requirements for big-game-hunting in their home country.

Hunting and fishing are subject to the provisions of the "Svalbard Environmental Protection Act".

Species that can be hunted and hunting periods:

 

MAMMALS Period Ringed seal (Phoca hispida) 20.05 - 20.03 Bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) 05.06 - 25.04     BIRDS Period Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) 21.09 - 31.10 Pink footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) 20.08 - 31.10 Brünnich's guillemot (Uria lomvia) 01.09 - 31.10 Glaucus gull (Larus hyperboreus) 11.08 - 31.10 Svalbard ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) 10.09 - 23.12 Black guillemot (Cepphus grylle) 01.09 - 31.10