The Norwegian government has ordered a formal review after the Navy sank two decommissioned frigates in a prime fishing area during a military exercise. The incident occurred in Andfjorden, a major fishing ground in Northern Norway, in September. The Climate and Environment Ministry will now examine whether the sinking followed proper environmental guidelines.
Fisheries Director Frank Bakke-Jensen has publicly contradicted the Navy's initial explanation. He stated that his agency never recommended the site. In fact, the Fisheries Directorate had warned against sinking the vessels in that specific location. The Navy had previously claimed the site was chosen in consultation with fisheries authorities. This contradiction has created a significant dispute between two key government bodies.
Local fishermen and environmental groups are demanding the wrecks be removed. They argue the sunken ships will damage fishing gear and disrupt marine life in Andfjorden. The Navy has firmly rejected these calls. Chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy, Oliver Berdal, stated there are no plans to retrieve the vessels. This standoff highlights a classic conflict between national defense needs and coastal community interests.
The government's response came through State Secretary Kristoffer Hansen of the Labour Party. He confirmed the review will assess if the sinking occurred in a suitable location. The review will check if the Navy followed guidance from the Environment Directorate. This process is standard when military actions potentially conflict with environmental and economic regulations.
This incident is not isolated. It reflects ongoing tensions in Norway's northern regions. The military requires vast areas for training in the strategically important Arctic. Coastal communities depend on the same waters for fishing and aquaculture. Finding a balance is a persistent policy challenge for the Storting, Norway's parliament.
The frigates, the KNM Trondheim and the KNM Stavanger, were decommissioned years ago. Using them as target practice is a common method for disposal. The controversy lies solely in the chosen location. Andfjorden is a vital corridor for cod and other commercial species. Placing large metal structures on the seabed can create artificial reefs, but it also poses hazards for bottom trawling.
What happens next? The ministry's review will likely take several months. Its findings could influence future military exercise protocols, especially in sensitive ecological zones. For Norway, a nation built on both maritime defense and fisheries, this case tests its ability to reconcile two core national interests. The government must now demonstrate that its left-hand knows what its right hand is doing, especially in the fragile Arctic environment.