Support for Oslofjord fishermen affected by Norway’s new no-fishing zones will rise from NOK 15 million to NOK 30 million (€2.74 million), the government announced on Thursday, 23 July. The funding is intended to help small-scale operators who have lost access to important fishing grounds since restrictions entered into force at the beginning of 2026.
The additional money was agreed during negotiations over Norway’s revised national budget. The Labour government had initially proposed adding NOK 10 million to the scheme, before its budget partners secured a further NOK 5 million.
“This gives us the opportunity to help more fishers who have lost access to important fishing grounds,” Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy (fiskeri- og havminister) Marianne Sivertsen Næss said.
Support for Oslofjord fishermen expanded beyond shrimp trawlers
Of the total funding, NOK 25 million (€2.28 million) will be allocated to the existing temporary scheme for owners of shrimp trawlers measuring less than 11 metres.
These vessels were prioritised because their owners are considered among the commercial operators most affected by the restrictions. Many have also made substantial investments in boats and equipment designed specifically for fishing in the fjord.
The scheme is intended to reduce the financial barriers faced by operators who need to restructure or close their businesses. It is administered by the Fishermen’s Guarantee Fund (Garantikassen for fiskere).
The remaining NOK 5 million (€457,000) will finance a new programme for vessels using fishing equipment other than shrimp trawls. These operators were previously unable to apply for compensation.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet) is still drafting the eligibility rules. The government expects the new scheme to become operational by the end of August.
Fishing restrictions aim to restore the Oslofjord
Three large no-fishing zones entered into force on 1 January 2026. They cover the inner Oslofjord and waters surrounding the Færder and Ytre Hvaler national parks.
All commercial and recreational fishing is prohibited inside the zones, including fishing with rods from the shore. Limited exemptions remain available for research, education, the removal of invasive Pacific oysters and some activities linked to coastal culture.
Commercial fishing outside the protected areas is also subject to tighter equipment rules. Several types of gear capable of catching bottom-dwelling fish have been banned, while restrictions on shrimp and crayfish trawling aim to reduce the accidental capture of cod.
Norwegian authorities introduced the measures after earlier restrictions failed to produce the expected recovery of the fjord’s vulnerable coastal cod population.
A degraded ecosystem needs action beyond fishing
The Oslofjord ecosystem has deteriorated because of several pressures. Government and environmental authorities identify wastewater, agricultural runoff and fishing among the main human causes.
Coastal construction, pollution, rising water temperatures and limited water circulation have also contributed to declining oxygen levels and the loss of marine habitats.
The fishing bans therefore form only one part of a wider restoration programme. Municipalities are upgrading wastewater treatment, authorities are working to reduce nutrient runoff from agriculture, and environmental agencies are funding projects to restore marine habitats.
The Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet) has warned that several years will be needed before damaged ecosystems recover. A long-term research programme will monitor whether the no-fishing zones improve fish populations and help restore the wider food chain.
Coastal livelihoods become part of the restoration debate
The restrictions have faced strong opposition from parts of the fishing sector. Operators argue that communities relying on the fjord are being asked to bear an immediate economic cost for an environmental crisis caused by several sectors.
The expanded compensation scheme acknowledges part of that burden, but its scale remains limited when divided among the affected vessels and businesses.
The government must now balance two objectives: maintaining restrictions strong enough to allow the ecosystem to recover and providing credible alternatives for people whose livelihoods depend on the fjord.
Whether the increased funding is sufficient will become clearer once the new application scheme opens. The broader challenge will last much longer, as restoring the Oslofjord will require sustained environmental measures and cooperation with the coastal communities most directly affected.
