What do a remote Arctic archipelago, fisheries, World War I, and climate change have in common? The Svalbard Treaty. Back in 1920, dozens of countries signed an agreement allowing all of them equal fishing rights around the islands, which were previously no man’s land but are now controlled by Norway (a stipulation of the Treaty). At the time, it was no big deal - there wasn’t much to fish in Svalbard anyway. But as the Atlantic warms, species like mackerel are ranging farther and farther north. With so many stakeholders at play, political tensions are rising, and this important Arctic ecosystem is at risk.

Archival materials courtesy of:
National Archives and Records Administration
National Library of Norway

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#arctic #oceanhistory #treaty #svalbard #norway #atlantic #fisheries

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