The Norwegian pelagic fishing industry has raised concerns about the planned Adriana and Sabina offshore developments and their potential impact on fisheries in the area around the Skarv FPSO.
In a consultation response sent to Harbour Energy and copied to Norway’s Energy Department on 12 March 2026, Pelagisk Forening called for a broader assessment of the combined impact of several petroleum projects in the same area.
The organisation said future offshore activity must be assessed alongside existing operations and their effects on fishing grounds.
Calls for a joint environmental assessment
Pelagisk Forening said several projects are now linked to the Skarv FPSO field. The group believes authorities should assess these projects together rather than separately.
It asked whether the total environmental load from the developments has been properly reviewed. The association also questioned whether the projects should have been covered by a single environmental impact assessment.
According to the consultation response, the fishing industry expects operators to work to reduce emissions at all times, regardless of minimum legal requirements.
Dispute over stock decline claims
The consultation programme states that fishing above recommended quotas for several years has contributed to the decline of mackerel and Norwegian spring-spawning herring stocks.
Pelagisk Forening rejected this claim for Norwegian spring-spawning herring. The organisation said quota increases in 2025 and 2026 show that the statement is incorrect.
The group stressed that fish stocks change naturally over time. It said pelagic fisheries must be viewed over long time periods because fish move across wide ocean areas.
Concerns about seabed infrastructure
Pelagisk Forening also criticised plans to protect pipelines with stone covering only in limited areas.
The organisation said seabed installations must be fully fishable. This means vessels must be able to fish across them safely using any gear type.
The group warned that equipment such as trawls, purse seines and longlines must not risk snagging or getting stuck on seabed structures.
The consultation response was signed by managing director Mariann Frantsen and senior adviser Mia Høgi.
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