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North Atlantic island Jan Mayen to become nature reserve
Nov 19, 2010, 14:05 GMT
Oslo - The Norwegian government Friday approved a decision to declare the North Atlantic island of Jan Mayen a nature reserve.
The island is home to Norway's only active volcano, the 2,277- metre-high Beerenberg.
'The island has a spectacular volcanic landscape and its geology is unique in Norway,' Environment Minister Erik Solheim said after the cabinet session.
The island and surrounding sea is home to large colonies of seabirds and has many important historical sites. Some date back to the 1600s when the first whaling expeditions were conducted off Jan Mayen.
An area around the island's meteorological station and an airstrip were not included in the nature reserve.
Fishing would be allowed to continue off the island, but only with equipment that does not damage the sea bottom, the Environment Ministry said.
Read more about Norway Ecology
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