Description
The Fifång nature reserve is situated in the archipelago south of Mörkö and includes the islands Fifång, Oxnö and Korpen as well as 20 or so smaller islets and skerries. The vegetation on the islands is dominated by primary rock pine forest. At Fifång and Korpen there is also a considerable number of of broad-leafed trees, mostly oak. Large quantities of woodruff grow in the groves at Korpen Island, which is very unusual in the county of Sörmland. Parts of Fifång contain of spruce-dominated woods and a large alder marsh. On the oaks of Fifång there is a highly exclusive lichen flora with many red-listed species. Some of them are very rare, like the lichen Bactrospora dryina.
Fifång is a lobate island with several deep bays. On the southern part of the island, in the hollow between Sörviken and Norrviken there are shoreline meadows, cropland and old built up areas from long ago. The island also has a great recreational value inte minst genom den beautiful natural harbour in the far south where Södertälje Boat Society have landing stages that are available for all visitors to the island.
Additions to the decree and changes in the purpose of the reserve were made in a decision by The County Administrative Board in the end of December 2005. The result was that Fifång’s status as an ordinary nature reserve changed to a marine reserve.
Accessibility
There are no regular boat connections to the islands in the reserve, but in the natural harbour on the southern side, visiting boats can put in at the landing stages.
The purpose of the reserve:
To preserve and care for an area in the mid archipelago with it’s natural values, it’s importance as a reference area for marine research, its valuable cultural heritage, its valuable plant- and animal life and its great recreational value. The marine biotopes shall be protected and strengthened to benefit biodiversity. The living environments and species that are the reason why the area has been suggested as a Natura 2000 area shall have a beneficial preservation status.
Preserving the natural values at Fifång through management shall attain the purpose. This mainly concerns old large oaktrees and other broad-leafed trees as well as shoreline meadows. Moreover, there is to be no forestry so that the forested areas can develop freely. The recreational qualities of the area shall be utilised but in case of conflict of interests, protection of the natural values will precede.
To attain the purpose of the marine area protection, any exploitation of the marine environmemt is to be stopped.
Decree: The County Administrative Board, May 28, 1999.
The Fifång Island is a Natura 2000-area.
Acreage: 1 700 hectare of which 234 hectare is land.
Conservation manager: The County Administrative Board.
Restrictions for the public:
Besides regulations and prohibitions in laws and constitutions it is not allowed to:
- Drill, pick, blast, carve, dig, paint or in any other way damage mountain, soil or stone.
- Break twigs, cut down or in other ways damage living or dead trees or bushes.
- Dig up plants such as up twigs, herbs, grass, moss or lichens, remove wood living fungi or remove underwater plants.
- Disturb the wildlife (for example by climbing trees or to capture or kill mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians).
- Bring unleashed dog.
- For more than three full days anchor a boat at the same location. The rule does not apply when keeping the boat by a landing stage.
- Camp in a tent on the same location for more than three full days.
- Make fire in other places than those that are provided for this purpose.
- Lightering (re-loading cargo between ships).
- Use chemicals during sanitation work after an oil slick.
- Dumping in the water area.
The picture above: Drummelberget at the northern part of the Fifång island. Photography Bo Ljungberg
