Kosterhavet National Park
Kosterhavets nationalpark
LocationBohuslän, Sweden
Nearest cityStrömstad
Coordinates58°50′N 11°01′E / 58.833°N 11.017°E / 58.833; 11.017
Area388.78 km2 (150.11 sq mi)[1]
Established2009
Visitors90,000
Governing bodyEnvironmental Protection Agency
Official website

Kosterhavet National Park (Swedish: Kosterhavets nationalpark, literally The Koster Sea National Park) is the first national marine park in Sweden, inaugurated in September 2009.[2] It is part of the Skagerrak sea and is located in Strömstad and Tanum municipalities in Bohuslän, Västra Götaland County, Sweden.[3][4] It consists of the sea and shores around the Koster Islands, excluding everything else on the islands. In the north, it borders the Norwegian marine park of Ytre Hvaler.

Kosterhavet National Park is home to Sweden's largest seal colony.[5]

Nature

The environment in the park is unique to Swedish waters. Over 6,000 marine species have been identified, about 200 of them can not to be found elsewhere in Sweden. The Kosterfjord (English: Koster Fjord)[6][7] is 200 m (660 ft) deep with relatively low temperature – 5 to 7 °C (41 to 45 °F) – and high salinity (about 35%). Brachiopod, sponge and coral larvae are brought in by currents from the Atlantic. Rare seabirds, such as Arctic terns and skuas, along with a large population of harbor seals have their habitat here. Plaice, cod and sea trout breed in the more shallow waters closer to the shore.[8][9]

Professional fishing is allowed although special regulations apply. The waters of the park is significant for the fishing of northern prawn and Norwegian lobster. Fishing is not subject to environmental protection, and are instead regulated by fishery laws and an agreement from 2000.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Kosterhavet National Park". Naturvårdsverket. Archived from the original on 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  2. ↑ "Kosterhavets webbplats" [Website of the Kosterhavet Marine National Park] (in Swedish). Västra Götaland County Administrative Board. 10 September 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  3. ↑ "Kosterhavet planeras bli Sveriges första marina nationalpark" (in Swedish). Naturvårdsverket. Archived from the original on 2009-03-30. Retrieved 2009-06-26.
  4. ↑ "Sveriges första marina nationalpark" [Sweden's first marine national park] (in Swedish). Svenska Dagbladet. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2009.
  5. ↑ Proctor, James (2014). West Sweden. Bradt Travel Guides. Page 51. ISBN 9781841625591.
  6. ↑ Alander, Harald. 1942. Sponges from the Swedish West-Coast and Adjacent Waters. Göteborg: Henrik Struves boktryckeri, p. 8.
  7. ↑ Rice, James (ed.). 2010. Great Escapes: 500 Unforgettable Travel Experiences. London: Rough Guides, p. 104.
  8. ↑ "Kosterhavet" (PDF). Naturvårdsverket. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  9. ↑ Bengt Frizell (ed.). "Kosterhavet" (PDF). Västra Götaland County Administrative Board. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  10. ↑ "Ansvarsfullt yrkesfiske i marin nationalpark" [Responsible fishery in marine national park] (in Swedish). Swedish Board of Fisheries. Archived from the original on 2010-01-17. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
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