New environmental regulations took effect on 1 January, 2025 in Svalbard. The Norwegian archipelago is situated between mainland Norway and the North Pole, and popular with adventurous travellers who are drawn to experience its raw, unblemished wilderness, most easily accessed with an expedition cruise line.
Svalbard has 29 protected areas covering about 65% of the total land area of the archipelago (61,000km2) and 86.5% of the territorial waters (out to 12 nautical miles).
What do Svalbard's new rules mean for wildlife spotting?
Norway
Katherine Masters
18 February 2025
Just how close can your clients get to a polar bear on an expedition cruise in Svalbard? We explore the implications of new regulations that have been introduced to protect wildlife in the fragile Arctic region
New rules in Svalbard aim to protect the endangered polar bear
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