The phylogeny of vascularisation

The protection entails the following:

• All shooting is prohibited within 2 kilometers of the colony unless there is an urgent necessity.

• Nets may not be set in the sea closer than 250 meters from the colony's high-tide mark, unless the colony owner grants permission.

• All unauthorized traffic and disturbance are prohibited unless permitted by the colony owner.

• All unnecessary noise caused by people or machines is prohibited unless permitted by the colony owner.

Protected colonies must be marked clearly where possible, except in uninhabited islands and islets.

The request for protection must come from the landowner, tenant, or manager of the colony. The decision to protect a colony is published in the Official Gazette and is valid for 10 years from the date of publication.

Cost

The application fee is ISK 12,000, which the applicant is to pay.

There is also a cost for publication in the Official Gazette, which the applicant must cover.

Application Process

A request for protection must be sent to the District Commissioner in the office where the nest is located.

Supporting Documents

• An approved map or aerial photograph clearly showing the boundaries of the project.

• The District Commissioner can require the confirmation of two knowledgeable people that there is an eiderdown nest in the area in question or that it is likely that an eiderdown nest may occur there.

The district commissioner receives the request and payment and obtains confirmation from the building inspector on whether the facilities are correctly described in the request. If the request is approved, the district commissioner prepares an announcement in the Official Gazette. The applicant pays the cost of the advertisement.

Appeal Process

Decisions made by the District Commissioner can be appealed to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources within three months of receiving the decision.