There is more than footprints and beautiful photos on Instagram left by summer tourists in Lofoten. Along paths, in streams and behind small trees in Lofotodden National Park, the researchers find faeces. Most are from the tourists themselves. It is the Norwegian Institute for Natural Research (NINA) that conducts field research in the national park: June 2021: 63 discoveries of human faeces. June 2022: 84 finds of human faeces. In other words, 33 percent more human excrement was found in Lofotodden National Park in June this year than last year. – We mark the findings as human if we find toilet paper in addition to visible poo. Researcher Rose Keller says so. Researcher Rose Keller has also carried out several water tests this year to look for traces of E. coli which were found last year. Photo: Privat Map tourists’ attitudes She is the one who gives news the updated stool figures for this year’s season. – Research is about finding the nice things in life, she laughs. But there is seriousness in what she is doing as well. Keller leads the project “Sporløs Lofotturisme”, a collaboration between Lofotodden National Park, NINA and NMBU. The project is the first of its kind in Norway. The aim is to improve the management of human waste in the national park. This applies, for example, to toilet paper, sanitary napkins and faeces. They also want to map the extent of the waste problem, and interview tourists about their experiences and perspectives related to waste management. E. coli in the drinking water – It can be like a kind of Easter egg hunt. It has been very interesting to see what kind of landscape contributes to people hiding to do what they need, says Keller. In the map you can see the findings from June last year (black) compared to the month of June this year (orange). The blue triangles show “faeces hotspots” that the researchers will monitor again this year: NINA’s map shows where human faeces have been found in Lofotodden National Park. Graphics: Rose Keller / NINA If you want to fill your bottle with fresh mountain water from a stream – think again. – The streams in Kvalvika are some of the most popular places to go to the toilet. But people also take water from these streams. Research shows that faeces consist of 30 to 50 percent bacteria. Last year we took water samples which showed very high levels of E. coli. Because of last year’s findings, they have also this year worked with water samples in the area. Like last year, they will carry out surveys in June, July and September. In the middle of one of the streams in Kvalvika, Keller and the researchers have found remains of human faeces and toilet paper. Photo: Rose Keller / NINA Bæsjeposen WAG-bag In an attempt to stop the increase in findings on human faeces, next year they will test “WAG-bags”. At the visitor center in Reine and in Ramberg, they have already started selling the bags. But according to Rose, no bags have been sold yet. The specially made bags are suitable for storing your own toilet waste when you are on a trip, especially faeces. The bag absorbs moisture, which should contribute to little smell. The used bags are thrown in the trash. In the survey, the researchers ask, among other things, whether people have heard of such excrement bags with the purpose of not leaving excrement in nature. Photo: Privat Littering and human excrement in Lofoten have been a problem for many years. Here are some photos from 2018:
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Finding even more human excrement in Lofoten National Park – news Nordland
