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Story summary
- Governor Lars Fause fined a driver NOK 50,000 for sounding a ship’s horn that disturbed a polar bear.
- The horn was used in early August 2026 in Lomfjorden, Hinlopen Strait, Svalbard, after passengers reported it.
- Fause ruled the act intentional under the Svalbard Environmental Act, which requires staying at least 300 m from bears.
- Since January 2025, Svalbard law sets a 300 m buffer (500 m March-June) and fines up to NOK 50,000 for violations.
