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Greenland urges cruise ships to avoid scenic fjords over environmental concerns
ReGreenland urges cruise ships to avoid scenic fjords over environmental concerns
Greenland's government is recommending cruise ships limit or avoid sailing through certain fjords after residents raised concerns about noise, wildlife disruption, and the preservation of natural areas used for recreation, hunting, and fishing.
Greenland's government is asking cruise operators to scale back trips through certain fjords, citing concerns from local residents about the impact of ships on communities and the environment. The recommendation from Naalakkersuisut, Greenland's government, urges cruise ships to avoid sailing through affected fjord areas when possible or to limit their presence in those locations.
The guidance follows complaints from residents about noise, effects on wildlife, and a desire to preserve natural areas used for recreation, hunting, and fishing. "The purpose of the recommendation is to limit the impact on vulnerable natural areas and wildlife, as well as to meet the local population's wishes to preserve the recreational values of the areas and the opportunities for catching and fishing," the government said in a press release.
The government also called on cruise lines, ship captains, and others in the industry to consider local conditions when planning trips and to follow the recommendation. The guidance could eventually be followed by more formal restrictions. Naalakkersuisut and Greenland's municipalities are developing zoning rules under the Tourism Act that would establish which areas are open to cruise tourism and which would face restrictions, according to the release. The rules are being developed with input from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders and would take effect following a public consultation.
The recommendation comes as Greenland continues to attract both expedition vessels and larger passenger ships during the summer cruise season. Qaqortoq and Nanortalik are among the popular destinations, with more than 20 cruise calls scheduled in the coming weeks. Carnival, Oceania, Azamara, Seabourn, AIDA, Viking, Windstar, Explora, Holland America, Celebrity, and Virgin are among the cruise brands visiting the ports this season.
Travelers have also weighed in online about the benefits and drawbacks of cruising in Greenland. "Cruises pollute. No vessel is perfect. It's just a fact," one Reddit user said. "There is always waste and disruption to wildlife." The same user also pointed to the convenience of cruising, writing, "You can see so much in a short period of time. You can see what took me 7 years by land, 20 days by cruise and pay much, much less."
Another commenter who talked about traveling in Greenland both by land and by expedition cruise offered a similar argument in favor of the option, saying cruises are "accessible and, for many people, the only way they'll ever see places like Scoresby Sund."
