Russian Vessels Delivered Fish Worth 19 Billion In 2022

Russian vessels delivered fish worth 1 9 billion in 2022 The value of the fish that came ashore from Russian vessels last year was 42 per cent higher than the year before.

This shows updated figures from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries and the Norwegian Coastal Administration's joint analysis unit, which E24 has obtained access to A total of 110,000 tonnes of fish with a value of NOK 1.

88 billion were delivered by Russian vessels during last year, the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries informs The year before, the total was 112,000 tonnes, while the value ended at NOK 1.

32 billion In other words, the increase in value is linked to a general increase in the price of fish, and not to the fact that the volume has increased.

At the same time, the figures from the report show that Russian vessels delivered fish to the value of NOK 1 7 billion from and including March until the end of the year.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 last year Asked for Russian fishing stop Ukraine has on several occasions asked Norway to explain why Russian fishermen are still allowed to sell fish at Norwegian ports, as E24 wrote last summer.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the authorities in Kyiv authorized their embassy in Oslo to initiate discussions with Norway, the aim of which was to end Russian fishing quotas in the Norwegian economic zone The first request from Kyiv to end Russia's fishing quotas in Norway's economic zone came at the beginning of April, correspondence E24 saw at the time showed.

Norway joined the EU's port ban, where Russian vessels over 500 tons could no longer dock, the April 29 Fishing boats were nevertheless exempt from the ban.

Already in June, E24/iTromsø was able to report that Russian cod had passed the billion in value at Norwegian ports since the beginning of the war In October last year, the Norwegian authorities tightened controls on Russian fishing boats, which from then on were only allowed to deliver fish in Tromsø, Kirkenes and Båtsfjord.

This was also in line with the EU's sanctions packages Norway is the only country in the sanctions collective with an exception that gives russian fishing vessels port access.

Venstre: We must close - For the Left, these sums emphasize the need to close the last three ports to Russian boats This is what Storting representative Ola Elvestuen says when he hears about the Russians' fishing value for 2022.

- We need to close these last three ports We now facilitate the landing of Russian fish, we make it easier to resell it, and Russian oligarchs get this profit, says Elvestuen.

Elvestuen can see no reason why Norway should facilitate Russian commercial activities in Norwegian ports He also believes that open ports can be or become a major security risk.

- In what way? - In the event of a risk of espionage We do not know who is the crew on these boats.

Russia is intensifying the war in Ukraine, and while it is an increasingly demanding situation, it is clear that we must stand up in all areas: - We must send weapons and provide other support, but also strengthen and use the entire apparatus of sanctions Here we have created an exception that makes it easier for Russian oligarchs to make money, which will be exploited over time by Putin and his supporters.

- The government has previously stated that fisheries cooperation with Russia is important to preserve the fish population in our seas What do you think about that? - Following the fisheries agreement and having a quota distribution is correct.

But it does not follow from that that russian fishing vessels should have access to Norwegian ports, says Elvestuen, and points out that Norwegian fishing boats have also not had access to Russian ports since 2014 - We must be active towards the EU to strengthen the sanctions, at the same time which the government should both encourage and support companies that go beyond the formal sanctions in stopping trade with Russia.

Foreign Ministry: Will avoid price increases on food The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been sent the figures and criticism from Ola Elvestuen They do not comment on the left-wing politician's statement directly, but State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson refers in an email to the current sanctions against Russia as "historically extensive".

- Fish, like other foodstuffs, is consistently excluded from the sanctions against Russia The purpose is to avoid price increases on food, which will particularly affect poor countries, he writes.

The EU's sanctions therefore do not contain a general ban on the import of Russian fish, explains Petersson - A significant part of the fish landed in Norwegian ports is also exported to the EU.

Very little of the income goes to Norwegian business - Is it appropriate to close [the ports] now? - We currently have no plans to do so, but we will take further measures if necessary.

- What will happen to fisheries cooperation if the ports are closed to Russian fishing boats? - Norway manages several fish stocks together with Russia It is particularly important that the world's largest cod stock is managed in a sustainable manner.

This is the reason why exceptions have been made to the port ban for Russian fishing vessels, writes Petersson,.