24 June 2011: The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) has reported that the Government of Norway has designated 14 new Wetlands of International Importance, bringing its total number of sites on the Ramsar List to 51. All 14 sites are protected under national law as nature reserves, national parks or protected landscapes.

The designations include four sites in Svalbard: Nordenskiöldkysten, Sørkapp, Bear Island (Bjørnøya) and Hopen. All of these sites support nationally-threatened bird species, as well as a number of mammal species, such as Svalbard reindeer, Arctic Fox, Polar Bear, Harbour Seals and Walrus.

Three sites consist of archipelagos off the coast of Norway: Sklinna, Rott-Håstein-Kjør and Røstøyan. They harbour similar species as the sites in Svalbard, including the Atlantic Puffin.

Four sites are active deltas: Ulendeltaet, Målselvutløpet, Reisautløpet, Glomådeltaet. These sites are important breeding sites for waterbirds, and support mammals and large numbers of fish.

The remaining three sites are Atnsjømyrene, a mire complex, and two wetland systems including different sub-sites, Hedmarksvidda Wetland System and Evenes Wetland system. They play an important role as water reservoirs and in flood protection. [Ramsar Press Release] [Description of the Sites]