Location
Key Information
| 4,956 km2 | MARINE AREA |
| 8,007 km2 | TOTAL AREA i |
Boundary: European Environment Agency - CDDA (Unmodified)
1.0
January 2023
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Purpose
The area has been protected since 1989, because of Melville Bay’s unique significance for narwhals which seek food along the edge of the ice.
Species of Concern: polar bear, beluga whale, narwhal, ringed seal, sabine’s gull
Regulations Summary
Restrictions
1. In the nature reserve, all trapping, hunting, fishing, egg collection, traffic, sailing and overflight at a height of less than 500 m are prohibited.
2. Traditional sleigh journeys between Upernavik and Avanersuaq municipalities must take place outside conservation boundary II.
3. Sleigh trips in a sporting or tourist context over Melville Bay are only permitted outside conservation boundary I.
4. All sailing in Melville Bay that does not take place under the residential exemption is only permitted outside conservation boundary I.
Allowed
1. Persons who have a permanent residence in either Upernavik or Avanersuaq municipality and meet certain requirements are exempt from this no-take provision, between conservation boundary I and conservation boundary II.
2. The National Government may, for scientific purposes, grant a dispensation from the provisions of the executive order.
3. Companies which, in accordance with the Mineral Raw Materials Act in Greenland, carry out preliminary investigations, research or extraction of raw materials in the area are exempted from the restrictions.