The Norwegian government has pledged to double in 2008 the amount spent on seismic surveys in the Barents Sea and the seabed around the Lofoten Islands.

Newly anointed Oil Minister Aslaug Haga has allotted NOK140 million ($26 million) for the purpose, a move that could undermine support recently gained among Norway’s politically potent environmental watchdogs, governmental and non-governmental.

The summer of 2007 saw much 2D seismic shot in the area, which is dear to fishermen, tourists and environmentalists for the rich overlap of migrating cod, minke whales and breathtaking island mountains.

Plans call for more 2D and some 3D surveys next summer after what Haga declared Friday would be consultations with fishery stakeholders on the much-debated effects of seismic on young fish will take place.

The Lofoten area has long been nominated by oil companies as acreage worth exploring.

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