West-Vikna Archipelago

The islets and skerries found just outside Kalvøya.

West-Vikna Archipelago

  • Country: 
    Norway
  • Site number: 
    2165
  • Area: 
    13,592 ha
  • Designation date: 
    27-05-2013
  • Coordinates: 
    64°53'N 10°43'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

The Site includes the major part of the Vest-Vikna archipelago, and consists of several larger islands and numerous islets in shallow marine waters. The landscape has a mosaic pattern including rocky shores, narrow mires and bogs, and sparse vegetation fertilized by seabird guano. Some of the islands are covered by a nationally endangered heathland mosaic with bogs and ponds. More than 345 vascular plant species have been recorded, with several species at the northernmost or southernmost limits of their range. The wetland supports breeding, staging and wintering populations of many notable species such as the black guillemot (Cepphus grille), the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) and the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). The islets hold populations of harbour seal (Photo vitulina) and European otter (Lutra lutra). The large mires constitute important water reservoirs, which provide stability in water flow and supply by constituting reservoirs in dry periods and controlling flooding during periods of heavy precipitation. The Site is used for fishing and agriculture. The main threats include construction of weekend cottages and jetties.

Administrative region: 
Trøndelag

  • National legal designation: 
    • Nature Reserve & Animal Protected Area 1 - Borgan and Frelsoy
    • Nature Reserve & Animal Protected Area 2 - Kvaløy and Raudøy
    • Nature Reserve 1 - Fruflesa
    • Nature Reserve 2 - Nordoyan
    • Nature Reserve 3 - Soroyan
    • Protected Area 1 - Sklinnaflesin
    • Protected Area 2 - Ytre Brosmflea
    • Protected Area 3 - Tronflesa
  • Last publication date: 
    08-05-2023