Fishing banned near rare beluga whale in Norwegian river

A fishing ban has been introduced around a beluga whale that has taken up residence in the Drammenselva river near Hokksund, Norway, Dagbladet reports.

Local hunting and fishing associations, along with the Nedre Eiker Salmon Group, have established a 500-metre no-fishing zone for boats and a 300-metre restriction for fly fishing from shore, according to a statement from Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries.

The beluga, a protected Arctic species, first appeared in late April and has since attracted crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare visitor. The Directorate of Fisheries, which has deployed two inspectors to monitor the situation, confirms the whale appears healthy and is behaving normally.

“There is currently no reason to implement special measures beyond the voluntary restrictions introduced by the local salmon committee,” the agency stated, adding that rising water levels from reservoir regulation and snowmelt may encourage the whale to return to the sea.

Beluga whales, typically found in Arctic waters, have been spotted in the Drammenselva before, including last summer and autumn. An adult beluga can reach up to 4.2 metres in length and weigh between 700 and 1,600 kilograms.