Allegations of espionage and the militarization of the Russian fishing fleet have in recent weeks increased the pressure on the disputed exception that allows Russian fishing vessels to dock in Norway. Norway is the only country in Europe that has such an exception. Now the government confirms, at the Ministry of Justice, that the exception remains. Minister of Justice and Emergency Preparedness Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) points out that the intelligence and security services “continually monitor the activity of Russian fishing vessels along the Norwegian coast” and that they have “increased the priority of work to counter illegal intelligence activities”. Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) answers – The government is working to safeguard Norway’s security and to handle serious security challenges. The intelligence and security services make ongoing assessments of the threats that may affect our society, and what risks these represent. The intelligence and security services continuously monitor the activity of Russian fishing vessels along the Norwegian coast in order to uncover and prevent security-threatening activity. The threat assessments of the services have, after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, led to increased prioritization of the work to counter illegal intelligence activities, not least along the Norwegian coast. There is close cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness and relevant sector governing bodies to help identify measures that can reduce the risk of activity that could threaten our interests. The Storting has authorized more than NOK 100 million for measures to strengthen presence and intelligence in the north, among other things to strengthen the police and PST with personnel and equipment. The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST), which is to prevent and investigate threats to national security, falls under the Ministry of Justice. The minister adds that the Storting has authorized more than NOK 100 million for measures to strengthen intelligence. The conclusion is that the exception for Russian fishing vessels remains. The exception is based on the review of the Norwegian-Russian fisheries management. Despite increased pressure, the government and Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) stand firm on the exception that allows Russian fishing vessels to dock in Norway. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news – A “big hole in our defense system” The latest signals from the government are expected to be strongly opposed by the Norwegian public. In July, Vladimir Putin signed a new doctrine which has been interpreted as a militarization of the Russian fishing fleet, and in October a proposal to scrap the exemption “as a contribution to financing Putin’s war” will be brought up in the Storting. Among those who want Russian fishing vessels away from Norwegian ports are the Liberal Party, MDG, Ukrainian authorities and researchers at the Naval Academy, who refer to the Russian traffic in Norwegian ports as “an Achilles’ heel” and a “big hole in our defence”. – There must be a total ban on Russian vessels in Norwegian ports, without exception Ina Holst-Pedersen Kvam, researcher at the Section for Naval Power and Leadership at FHS/Naval School – Russian maritime gray zone warfare in the north is not a hypothetical problem, but a real threat. Most of our critical, national infrastructure that society depends on is along the coast, and in practice constitutes Norway’s Achilles’ heel. This also lacks a cross-sectoral preparedness regime and sufficient overall defence. The combination is a gift package for all actors who want to hurt us, and the Kremlin knows it. On behalf of the Russian defense and while Norwegian decision-makers look the other way, such trawlers thus get to map all the vulnerabilities involved, and in the process build up decisive advantages for a worst-case escalation of the Ukraine conflict. It has its price to be careful, but the cost of hindsight in this case will be far greater. Arild Hermstad, MDG – Russia has previously shown that it is willing to use civilians to promote its own defense and security policy interests. I am partly therefore afraid that Russia may use vessels for espionage. We support a total ban on vessels in Norwegian ports, without exception. We must show Russia that the war in Ukraine is completely unacceptable, and therefore we must use all the means we can to resist. This war has terrible human costs for Ukraine and affects the whole of Europe. It is time we listen to them when they urgently ask us to close all Russian vessels out of Norwegian ports. Ola Elvestuen, Venstre – As long as Russian fishing vessels have access to Norwegian ports, it will be exploited by Russian authorities. Oligarchs control and own the Russian fisheries in the Barents Sea, and there is no oligarch in Russia who is not completely controlled by Putin. With open ports, we are therefore helping to facilitate the financing of Russian warfare in Ukraine. Norwegian ports must be closed to Russian fishing vessels no. Fiskeribladet – For us, it is incomprehensible that Russian fishing boats will still be allowed to land fish in Norway. The Russians have traditionally landed around 100,000 tonnes of whiting in Norway. Of this, approximately ten percent goes to Norwegian industry. The rest goes out into the world via cold storage. This means that both Norwegian cold stores and international forwarding companies profit from Russian cod. In addition, Norway is now giving the big Russian fishing oligarchs a handshake. Johannes Sivertsen, chairman of the Norwegian Pilot Association – 257 Russian pilot licenses have been issued along the Norwegian coast so that Russian captains can sail freely without a Norwegian pilot on board, we are of the opinion that these should be kept in mind In one leader, Fiskeribladet writes that it is “incomprehensible” and “tragic that the government is giving the Russian war machine a handshake”. They add: “The Russians have closed all Norwegian fish out since 2014. It is time for Norway to respond in kind.” Head of the Storting’s foreign affairs and defense committee, Ine Eriksen Søreide (H), last week sent written questions to Fisheries Minister Bjørnar Skjæran (Ap) and Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Ap) in which she calls for answers to “what kind of control is carried out by Russian fishing vessels to ensure that they are not equipped for military purposes?” In the question, Søreide, who was foreign minister until last year, points to expert testimony that several Russian fishing vessels “are equipped with military satellite, drone and underwater technology, and that several have the capacity to cut gas pipes in the North Sea”. She adds that “the government should continuously reassess the exception to ensure that Norway acts in line with the common sanctions regime from Europe, and does not contribute to increased income for Russia”. Ine Eriksen Søreide (H) wants an answer to “what kind of control is carried out by Russian fishing vessels to ensure that they are not equipped for military purposes?” Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB – Russian fishing vessels not automatically a problem The Business Security Council warned before Christmas about “targeted and extensive intelligence activity” from civilian ships that are used for military purposes. – We do not share the general opinion that Russian fishing vessels in Norwegian ports automatically have security implications. There must be more to do with the vessel than the fact that it flies the Russian flag for it to fall into that category, says Major General Odin Johannessen, who is the leader of the Business Security Council. He adds: – In order to deal with possible threats from foreign vessels, we can close or introduce sailing restrictions in important areas along the coast for such vessels. This way we can manage the risk with such vessels, and at the same time stand by the important principle of freedom of navigation. – I assume that the governing authorities took care of security, as they should do, says Henriette Skaar, who is the leader of Sogn og Fjordane fishermen’s association. Photo: Harald Kolseth / news – The government must take coordinated measures Henriette Skaar is the leader of Sogn og Fjordane fishermen’s association, a part of the country that receives “sporadic” visits from Russian fishing vessels. She tells news that the exception is discussed among their members, but that they loyally follow up on the guidance that comes. – I assume that the authorities carried out security-related inspections, as they should do, she says. Leader of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association, Kåre Heggebø, says their goal is to ensure continued sustainable management of the fishing resources in the Barents Sea and that “this provides that fisheries and research cooperation works”. – When it comes to actions, measures or sanctions against Russia, we are in a half of the court where we are not playing. Here, the government must take steps that are coordinated both nationally and in a global setting.
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The government will continue to have Russian fishing vessels in Norwegian ports – news Vestland
