Norwegian coast guard detains Russian trawler
A Russian fishing trawler was yesterday detained near Svalbard on suspicion of poaching and dumping of fish, Norwegian coast guard reports.
The Murmansk trawler “Viking” was arrested on Thursday in the fisheries protection zone near the Svalbard archipelago, the Norwegian Coast Guard writes in a press release, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation reports.
Norwegian inspectors patrolling the area by helicopter spotted the Russian vessel dumping fish, which is a serious form of environmental crime. Under inspection of the trawler it was discovered that the crew had neglected to report the catch to Norwegian authorities.
The trawler was escorted by the coastguard vessel “KV Senja” to the port of Tromsø. Local police are now investigating the case.
