Young activists sail Oslofjord to learn about its environmental crisis

Young environmental activists are sailing the Oslofjord aboard the schooner Svanen to learn about the condition of its marine environment and possible solutions, NRK reports. The fjord is described as an ecosystem in deep crisis, with cod almost gone, kelp forests disappearing and little life beneath the surface.

The voyage began in Oslo and continued to Fredrikstad before heading along the Vestfold coast. During the trip, the young participants have learned about seamanship and running the vessel while meeting researchers, organisations and local coastal communities.

“This is a fantastic experience for young people who are engaged in environmental issues and activism. We have seen many beautiful places,” said 18-year-old Irma Heier Vaglieri.

Fellow participant Åsne Førstøyl Futtrup, 16, said the teamwork on board had been rewarding.

“There is always something you can help with. Everyone depends on each other to move forward,” she said.

The participants have met representatives and researchers from the Institute of Marine Research, the Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature and the fishing industry.

“It is very inspiring to hear their suggestions for what could lead to positive change. It seems to work,” Futtrup said.

But the voyage has also offered a bleak reminder of the fjord’s condition. The young activists said they had seen a great deal of lurv and little other life, including no large fish. They also noted how few fishing boats remain in Kragerø, which was previously a major fishing municipality.

Helene Sofie Smit, a central board member of the environmental organisation Nature and Youth, said the goal was to give participants a complete picture of the situation, including both the problems and the solutions.

“They learn about fishing history and environmental problems, but above all about the solutions that exist,” she said.

Smit said there was broad political interest in the Oslofjord’s future, but argued that authorities needed to act faster. A fishing ban in the fjord would not be enough without efforts to remove nitrogen from sewage and stop over-fertilisation, she said.

Despite the challenges, the young activists remain optimistic.

“We are determined that the Oslofjord is an environmental campaign we will win. We just need to speed up. We are young, and we are impatient,” Smit said.

“You cannot lose heart when you see this fantastic fjord. It is very beautiful here,” she added.