Norwegian Boater Fined for Disturbing Sleeping Polar Bear in Svalbard

A Norwegian boater received a significant fine after intentionally waking a polar bear with a ship’s horn. The event took place this month in Lomfjorden, within the Svalbard archipelago. Passengers aboard the vessel saw a polar bear resting on land when an individual discharged the horn, rousing the bear to move, according to the governor of Svalbard.

Witnesses on the vessel reported the conduct to authorities, who concluded the act was intentional. The responsible party was fined 50,000 Norwegian kroner (around $5,300) for breaking the Svalbard Environmental Act. This fine was accepted and paid.

Svalbard’s regulations provide stringent protections for polar bears, restricting close contact. Since January 2025, people must stay at least 300 meters (984 feet) away from these creatures. This distance extends to 500 meters (1,640 feet) from March 1 to June 30, when the polar bears are especially vulnerable. The rules necessitate anyone finding themselves closer than the permitted distance to back away.

The regulations also ban unnecessary disturbances, attractions, or pursuits of the bears, emphasizing the importance of protecting both wildlife and visitors in a place where Arctic animal encounters are common. In 2024, another individual faced a fine after approaching a walrus in Svalbard. This person walked onto ice to get near the walrus. Authorities, alerted by the public and witnessing employees, imposed a 12,500 Norwegian kroner (around $1,300) fine for wildlife disturbance.

Following these events, the governor has consistently urged visitors to maintain the required distances from wildlife to minimize disturbances and avert hazardous situations.