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This figure shows the total area of fjords where advice against consumption applies. The drop in area from 1992-1993 was due to the lifting of restrictions for the Hardangerfjord. The increase in area from 1997 until 2003 was caused by both an increase in the number and extent of fish advisories.
In 2005 the advice against consumption was removed in the Vefsnfjord in Norland. This explains the decline in area from 2004 until 2005. In 2007 the Ellingsøyfjord in Ålesund was included, while a temporary advisory/warning was issued for the Høyangerfjord (given a temporary advice of consumption) and restrictions were reduced for parts of the Saudafjord.
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Number of fjords where advice against consumption applies.
Source: Norwegian Pollution Control Authority.
Are we moving in the right direction?
When high levels of hazardous chemicals are found in the environment, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority recommends restrictions on the consumption of certain types of seafood. The total number of fjords with restrictions on consumption doubled between 1998 and 2003. The reason for this increase was that many new locations were investigated. This revealed many new problem areas.
It is unlikely that the number of fjords with restrictions on fish consumption will decline in the near future. Most of the advisories concern (health risks linked to) PCBs and PAH pollution in fish livers and mussels. Such contaminants break down only very slowly. Thus, even after sediment clean-up operations, the restrictions on seafood consumption have to be maintained for many years to come.
Published by the Climate and Pollution Agency, 01.05.2008, 15:34.