Areas of special importance for the Swedish commercial fishery

Areas of special importance for the Swedish commercial fishery are designated within marine areas, lakes and rivers as well as harbors. The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management designates these areas according to Sweden's Environmental Code, Chapter 3 Section 5. Implementation of Chapter 3, Section 5 entails that activities that exploit land or water areas must not significantly interfere with commercial fishing activities within designated areas of special importance. Even access to necessary infrastructure, in the form of harbors, must be protected so that commercial fishing vessels can be serviced and have a place to land their catch. The guidelines set up by the Swedish Housing Agency detail three general criteria that responsible organisations should take into account when designating areas of special interest. The categories are: 1. The area is of great national importance 2. The area is necessary for Sweden to fulfill its international obligations, or 3. The area is necessary to carry out or maintain nationally important structures.