Professional fisherman Frank Arne Hansen points to a black box on the wall of the boat. It sends the boat’s position automatically to satellites, and on to the fisheries authorities. – It’s like wearing a hat with a transmitter in it. They can follow me wherever I go, says Hansen. But it does not stop there. When he launches from Kvaløyvågen in Tromsø, he is required by law to send a series of messages. It should make it more difficult to engage in fishing fraud. For Frank Arne Hansen and other Norwegian fishermen, the tablet is an important reporting tool. Five to six statutory messages must be sent during a day at sea. The Directorate of Fisheries’ control center can see where the fishing boats are, and receives the catch reports in real time. With the tablet, he must report when he leaves the quay, how much fish he catches, and when he goes home from the fishing grounds. But the rules are not the same for everyone, news’s investigations show. Although Norway and Russia, through the fisheries agreement, harvest the same fish, in the same sea areas, there are completely different requirements for control. Telefax and e-mail Inside a white wooden building in Bergen are Norway’s eyes over the sea areas. On the computer screens are maps with colorful lines showing fishing activity from north to south. Catch reports from Norwegian fishermen are received immediately by the Directorate of Fisheries’ inspectors. If a boat disappears from the map, the fisherman is called. In a cubicle next to it, a red light flashes on a large white-grey box. The Directorate of Fisheries’ telefax is still in operation. Photo: Brynjar Myrtveit Osgjerd / news The technology had its heyday in the 80s and 90s. Actually, most telefaxes have long since been retired, or have become something you see in a museum. But the legislation means that Russian fishing vessels are still allowed to send important catch reports by fax. – As of now, we mainly receive them by e-mail from the boats. And we accept that, says section manager Anders Østreim. The boat’s name, position and number of kilograms of fish must be manually entered into a system that the Directorate has had since 1978. Catch report from Russian fishing vessel. Photo: Brynjar Myrtveit Osgjerd – We really want to get away from this, and perhaps the Russians will too, says Østreim. Catch reports come once a week, while Norwegian fishermen must report in real time. How did we end up here? The Russians do not share electronic data A number of countries that fish in Norway have entered into an agreement on electronic reporting (ERS). Everything was also in place for the Norwegian authorities to exercise better control over Russian fishing vessels. In 2012, an agreement was signed between Norway and Russia. But a number of internal matters in Russia have meant that the work has taken time, according to the Directorate of Fisheries. The fisheries agreement gives Russia access to fish in Norway’s waters. In the picture are two Russian cargo vessels and a trawler. Photo: Defense In the meantime, Norwegian fishermen have been given stricter reporting requirements. In one of the Directorate of Fisheries’ previous hearings on electronic reporting, it is stated: “The most important consideration a notification system will take care of is the control consideration.” Nevertheless, the directorate believes that it is within the scope of Russian fishing vessels to report once a week. – We believe that the delay in the way it is reported is acceptable, until better systems can eventually be put in place. That’s what Jon-Erik Henriksen, who is head of the management division in the Directorate of Fisheries, says. He elaborates that the Russian fishing vessels keep a paper logbook on board, and that it is accessible by physical inspection. Norwegian fishermen are surprised – One, two, three, four-five, six. Frank Arne Hansen in Kvaløyvågen counts up all the messages he has to send during one day at sea. If he does not do so, he may receive a hefty fine and confiscation of the catch. At the same time, his Russian colleagues can sweep in tons of fish over several days, without the same requirements for electronic reporting. Tom Vegar Kiil, leader of Norway’s Coastal Fishermen’s Association. Photo: Inghild Eriksen Leader of Norway’s Coastal Fishing Association, Tom Vegar Kiil, is provoked by what news is now putting forward. – I am disappointed and surprised that the authorities allow such discrimination, says Kiil. For Norwegian fishermen, electronic reporting is extended right down to the smaller fishing fleet. – Time and energy have been spent on the smallest boats in Norway. There is also no control over the largest boats in the Barents Sea. It is quite spectacular, says Kiil. Frank Arne Hansen in Kvaløyvågen also reacts to the fact that Russian and Norwegian fishermen have different rules in the same country. – It’s the same cod stock we fish on, so it’s a bit unfair that they only send once a week, and we every sea weather. – Has control The Directorate of Fisheries informs news that “active efforts are being made to get the agreement from 2012 implemented.” But when this is in place, they cannot answer. Jon-Erik Henriksen in the Directorate of Fisheries. Photo: Dan Henrik Klausen / news Although the catch reports are one week old, the Directorate of Fisheries believes that they have control over the activity of Russian fishing vessels. – You want that data if you go on board, because that’s where the data is in a paper diary. Controls are also carried out by the Coast Guard, says head of the administration division, Jon-Erik Henriksen. – Is it an optimal solution? – No, there is a reason why we are working on getting electronic systems for all vessels. As of now, when we don’t have it, we still have control over resource extraction, we perceive. The Directorate of Fisheries checks that everything is going well on the fishing grounds. Photo: Brynjar Myrtveit Osgjerd / news news has been in contact with the Russian embassy in Oslo. Among other things, we have asked why it takes time to put in place an agreement on the exchange of electronic data. And how much control you have in Russia on what Russian fishing boats fish in Norway. Press attaché, Timur Chekanov, writes that the questions are being sent to the fisheries authorities, and that the embassy will send over the answers, if they come. Hey!Hey!Did you think of anything when you read this story? Or do you have any tips? Then please feel free to send me an e-mail. I have previously written about the fisheries agreement between Norway and Russia, Russian and Ukrainian friendship in Svalbard, and the snow crab case which could cost billions. Signal: +47 99128067 E-mail: dan.henrik.klausen@ news.no
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Norwegian fishermen are monitored digitally – while Russian fishing vessels are allowed to use telefax – news Troms and Finnmark
