AWARD-WINNING COAST
“The Quality Coast Nature Award was presented to the Marine Parks of Kosterhavet (Sweden) and Ytre Hvaler (Norway). The Awards were presented at European Maritime Day wich was celebrated on 20 may 2013 in Gozo (Malta).
1000 candidate destinations have been assessed by an international team making use of more than 100 indicators covering all aspects of sustainabillity: nature; environment; local identity & culture; tourism & business; host community & safety. The Quality Coast Award series is an initiative of the European Coastal & Marine Unioun, that is assessing sustainabillity aspects of 1000 tourism destinations worldwide.
The awards are a recognition for the destination`s efforts to sustain the attractiveness of their tourism in the future. Not only visible, tangible aspects are measured, such as natural heritage, but also policy and management plans that take sustainable development principles into account. ”
Søndre Sandøy, Hvaler.
Kosterhavet and Ytre Hvaler are two marine national parks in Sweden and Norway. They were both opened in 2009 and they are still the only parks in both countries that protect marine wildlife. In total, 719 km2 are protected area. The national parks include 16 coral reefs and these are the only reefs in Sweden. Within the parks, visitors can do a variety of things such as hiking, biking, bathing, snorkeling, fishing (only in designated zones) and canoying.
As national parks are the highest classification a nature area can receive, it is highly regulated by law especially in regards to planning, building and development. Management plans within the parks are based on sustainability and conservation. Furthermore, tourists are free to observe animals but they are not allowed to touch or approach wildlife. Therefore, they follow the basic principle of do not disturb and do not destroy.
