A pelagic pair team from Ireland fishing in Norwegian waters have been detained by the Coastguard on suspicion of operating in a closed area.
Ronan Ross and Sarah David sailed to fishing ground more than a thousand miles from home to take their allowance of Ireland’s quota for Atlanto-Scandian herring.
The Norwegian authorities have declined to comment, stating only that the case has just been opened and they are unable to comment on what has take place or to confirm the target species in question – although the two vessels had both declared catches of Atlanto-Scandian herring to the Norges Sildesalgslag pelagic auction, totalling 265 tonnes.
Ronan Ross and Sarah David are currently alongside in Tromsø, after having been escorted in by Coastguard vessel Svalbard.
Indications are that there may have been a breakdown in communications between national authorities – as the skippers of the Irish vessels state that they checked with their authorities for restrictions before heading for the Norwegian coast. On the other hand, the Norwegian regulation relating to this closed area appears to have been updated only a few weeks ago – and the information could have failed to filter through.
