The Norwegian decision constitutes a blatant violation of bilateral fishing agreements.

On Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Norway’s charge d’affaires, Ruben Andre Johansen, to lodge a formal protest over Oslo’s decision to ban Russian vessels from fishing in Norway’s exclusive economic zone, despite a 1976 bilateral agreement.

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Moscow condemned what it described as Norway’s illegal restrictive measures against fishing vessels operated by Russian companies Norebo and Murman Seafood.

These vessels had been operating in Norway’s exclusive economic zone in accordance with the 1976 intergovernmental bilateral fisheries agreement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

“The Norwegian side was told that such unfriendly measures constitute a blatant violation of the bilateral fishing agreements, undermining the effective system developed over many years for controlling and regulating the fishing of shared fish stocks in the Barents and Norwegian seas,” the statement read.

“The irresponsible actions of Oslo not only threaten to dismantle the entire framework of bilateral fisheries relations — with negative consequences for all involved — but also jeopardize the future sustainable exploitation of marine biological resources in the North Atlantic,” the ministry added.

Russia called on Norway to fully honor its obligations under the agreement and “refrain from actions that restrict the legitimate activities of Russian fishing vessels in Norway’s exclusive economic zone.”

“If Oslo is unwilling to return to compliance with the terms of the 1976 agreement, the Russian side will take the necessary measures to protect the interests of its national fishing industry,” the statement warned.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – TASS

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