Uncertainty under Norway’s claimed exclusive rights over the Snow crabs in the Archipelago of Svalbard

Abstract

This thesis explains the legal framework in the Archipelago of Svalbard with an emphasis on the Loophole area. The author will answer the question on what is regulating the Svalbard archipelago and can Norway claim exclusive rights over snow crab. Snow Crab as a resource residing also in the Loophole area has already attracted attention and brought two fishing ships before the Supreme Court of Norway. This thesis explains how the situation has evolved by giving the historical background of the area of Svalbard, provide an overview of the current legal framework, lastly, a case law analyses.