Kosterhavet Marine National Park
Marine protection and local development hand in hand.
On the west coast of Sweden, on the border to Norway, Sweden´s first marine national park is underway. The marine environment here is influenced by the Atlantic and it includes habitats and species found nowhere else in Swedish waters. This area, Kosterhavet, is also a valuable recreational resource - it is one of Sweden´s most visited tourist destinations - and is an important inshore fishery, mostly for prawns and Norwegian lobsters. Protecting and maintaining the natural and economic wealth of Kosterhavet is one of the great challenges in planning this new national park. The Kosterhavet Marine National Park will be inaugerated in september 2009.
Sweden´s highest marine biodiversity
Close to the bottom of the 200 meter deep Kosterfjord the high salinity (34-35‰) and a low temperature (5-7°C) seawater is more typical of the open ocean than Swedish coastal waters. Sub-surface currents bring larvae of deep ocean species such as brachiopods, sponges and corals from the Atlantic continental slope. Of the 6000 marine species that have been identified in Kosterhavet, about 200 are found nowhere else in Sweden.
A national park can promote local development
Kosterhavet is both home and workplace to many people. Nearly 24 000 people live in this, and neighbouring districts. About 1 000 people live in, or immediately adjacent to the proposed national park. Tourism is a major source of income, Kosterhavet has excellent recreational opportunities. The area attracts over 90 000 turists each year.
More information
If you want more information about this exciting ongoing project, please contact us by sending an e-mail to: kosterhavet.vastragotaland@lansstyrelsen.se
Senast uppdaterad: 12/9/2009
Sidansvarig: Lena Tingström