Fish farming on cod is about to become a threat to the stock of wild cod in the Norwegian oceans. If escaped cod from fish farming cross breeds with wild cod, it could hamper the wild cod’s ability to survive.

The United States and Canada will embark next month on a joint expedition to the Arctic in an effort to map out the extreme northern region of the Arctic seabed. The effort will concentrate on the waters north of the Alaska-Yukon borders. This research trip follows last year’s very successful joint research trip conducted further in the southern region of the Arctic.

A group of Russian paratroopers will next April land at the North Pole. Head of the Russian Airborne Forces insists that the mission will not stir military tensions in the area.

Denmark is the latest of the Arctic countries to release details of its plans to up its presence in the Arctic. Last week the country released an all-party defense position paper that indicated we should expect a major upgrading of Denmark’s northern capabilities.

The EU Council on Monday officially approved restrictions on the marketing of seal products, arguing that hunting practices are inhuman. That irritates Arctic neighbors Canada and Norway.

Another three villages in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug will be left abandoned this year.

The Sevmash yard in Severodvinsk this week started the construction of the second sub in the multipurpose Yasen class.

Gazprom is likely to postpone the construction of the gas pipeline between the Barents Sea coast and the gas hub of Volkhov near Sankt Petersburg.

Gazprom in 2010 intends invest a total of 645 billion RUB. That is only half of what the company originally planned. Consequences will be dramatic for several new project, among them the Shtokman project.

With others Arctic countries such as Russia and Norway promising to increase their military presence in the Arctic, another Arctic country is taking a slightly different approach to securing their piece of the region and strengthening their position in the race for Arctic resources.