Kosterhavet, Sweden’s first Marine National Park opens

Kosterhavet, Sweden’s first Marine National Park opens

Visit Sweden 8 September 2009

This week Sweden celebrates the opening of its first Marine National Park, situated on the country's western coast. Visitors to Kosterhavet can take part in a number of new activities including seal safaris and educational boat trips learning about the marine wildlife, plus gourmet seafood experiences and guided bike tours.

Kosterhavet was named as Sweden's fist official Marine National Park - the highest level of protection that can be afforded to a natural area in Sweden - by the king of Sweden in a ceremony on Wednesday 9 September.

The park is situated on the Koster archipelago, Sweden's most westerly, populated group of islands. With clear waters and the richest biodiversity in the country it is an exceptional example of Swedish marine conservation.

Influenced by the Atlantic, the marine environment includes over 6,000 species and habitats; over 2000 of which are found nowhere else in Sweden. Out of the water, the islands of the exposed archipelago are also nesting areas for rare seabirds and home to Sweden's largest population of harbour seals.

A number of new visitor initiatives will be available at Kosterhavet:
· Seal safaris out through the Koster Fjord to the seal colony to learn more about their habitat and conservation methods. Visit in autumn and there will be plenty of young pups swimming around the boat
· Trips out with local fishermen on ocean crayfish expeditions, for a real ‘from sea to table' experience. Each trip will include a hands-on lesson in catching the shellfish and culminates in a meal of self-caught, fresh lobster
· Guided bike tours on the Koster islands
· Trips on a scientific research boat fitted with an underwater camera will be made available to the public. Images are projected onto a screen in the cabin whilst a qualified guide and marine biologist provide a running commentary. Although this is currently only available for corporate hire, the park will offer this activity to the public in spring 2010

Kosterhavet National Park is under continual development with scientists, local authorities, community groups and local fisherman in order to protect and develop the area for future generations and to enable people to continue to visit, experience and learn about Swedish nature.

A six-day trip to Gothenburg and The Koster Islands is available with Simply Sweden from £655 per person based on two sharing and including flights and bed and breakfast accommodation. For more information visit www.simplysweden.co.uk or call 0845 8900 300

For more information visit www.west-sweden.com.

 

 

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