The Norwegian government recently banned two Russian fishing companies, Norebo JSC and Murman Seafood, from its waters.
The reason is the risk of sabotage and spying. Russia calls the move a breach of long-standing fishing agreements. This, according to Norwegian fisheries media outlet Fiskeribladet.
Ilja Sjestakov, head of Russia’s federal fisheries agency, warns Norway has one month to change course. If not, Russia will close its economic zone to Norwegian vessels and set its own cod quotas in the Barents and Norwegian Seas.
Norwegian fishermen told to stay away.
The Norwegian fishing lobby, Fiskebåt, urges its members to avoid Russian waters until the situation is resolved.
“We warn our fishermen not to operate in Russian zones,” said director Audun Maråk. He calls Moscow’s threats “irrational” and fears they could legitimise illegal quota-setting in international waters.
Scientists fear for cod stocks.
Marine scientists are alarmed. Geir Huse of Norway’s Institute of Marine Research warns that if Russia ignores agreed quota cuts, cod populations could collapse, similar to the disastrous Newfoundland cod crisis in the 1990s.
What’s next?
Talks between the two countries continue, but trust is strained. With the Barents Sea cod stock under pressure and political tensions high, the coming month may decide the future of Norwegian-Russian fisheries cooperation.