The rules for Russian fishing vessels are being tightened

In addition, control activities by the police are to be strengthened in the three ports, the government states in a press release.

These are the only three ports still open to Russian fishing vessels.

– Inspection activity is already high, but the police and customs are now strengthening their inspection, and we are placing stricter requirements on Russian fishing vessels when staying in the ports, says Minister of Justice and Emergency Preparedness Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp).

For lite, for sent

Following the new restrictions, Russian fishing vessels can remain at berth for a maximum of five working days, and no more than seven days including weekends and holidays. A minimum of three days must also pass since the previous stay at another port on mainland Norway.

Too little, too late is the verdict from the Left. The ports must be closed completely to limit Russian intelligence activities and espionage in Norway, believes Ola Elvestuen.

– The ports must also be closed to stop the flow of money from these vessels which now go via Norwegian ports to Russian oligarchs in support of Putin’s brutal warfare in Ukraine, writes Elvestuen in an email to NTB.

Expect more measures

Høyre’s Ine Eriksen Søreide also reacts.

– This is an absolutely necessary tightening that should have come earlier, and I expect the government to continuously assess further measures, such as closing ports completely to Russian fishing vessels, she writes in an email to NTB.

– Fishing cooperation with Russia is important for Norway, but at some point the risk of allowing Russian fishing vessels to come to Norwegian ports will be greater than the value of the fishing cooperation, she continues.