Police sold large lobster seizures rather than release catch – NRK Sørlandet – Local News, TV and Radio

– This was sold. “We had to take into account a possible compensation claim from the fisherman if we were to release them again,” says Torvild Selås, Agder Police District environmental coordinator.

Despite the fact that the fisherman was arrested and accused of illegal fishing, a seizure of 150 kilos of lobster was still sold.

NRK has not received a clear answer as to whether the money is going to the defendant’s company.

The police made the valuation of the sale together with the Coast Guard and the Directorate of Fisheries, and contacted a fish dealer.

Both fishermen and researchers react to the fact that the large catch was not returned to the sea.

– But it turns out that you have to weigh the pros and cons, says Selås.

At least 300 lobsters worth around NOK 100,000 were seized. Commercial fishermen are allowed to have one hundred pots, while the target is said to have had several hundred illegal pots.

The fishermen respond

– This is kind of strange. If illegal catch is viable, I certainly believe that it should never have been sold. Atle Nilsen, professional fisherman and leader of the fishing team in Arendal, says.

Several fishermen NRK has spoken to think it strange that the large seizure has not been released.

For years, a lot of work has been done to increase the population.

There are strict fishing rules, and this year alone there have been ten new protected areas.

– This is a vulnerable species that we try to protect in every possible way, says Nilsen.

Fiskerlaget Sør Managing Director Erlend Grimsrud also believes that viable illegal catches should be returned:

– Reason dictates that these locusts should have been released again. The evidence could be secured first and then released.

Be in top shape

The catch that was sold to Reinhartsen AS in Kristiansand was three times greater than the second largest delivery from fishing boats in the south on Thursday 8 October.

The general manager, Reidar Fredriksen, says that the control authorities offered to capture them.

– For me, it becomes almost a normal trade. The authorities called if we could accept, and then I think it’s the right thing to do.

The fishmonger has large basins, and there are lobsters. There is nothing wrong with capturing:

– They are top quality. About half have already been sold.

He says the invoice will go through the Fiskehav sales team, but he’s not sure where the money will go in the next round. The accused fisherman may have his income from illegal catches confiscated if he is convicted.

Researcher: – High Fishing Pressure

Marine Research Institute researcher Even Moland believes that such a large catch should have been released again in the Grimstad archipelago.

– It would be beneficial to the local lobster population from a conservation perspective.

Says there is high local fishing pressure on lobster:

– It is a scarce resource, shared by many, and it is not unlimited. If someone in a local maritime zone takes a big chunk of the pie, it will be unfortunate for others.

The selling price of lobster ranges from 650 to 800 crowns.

Defend sales

Police argue that the many hundreds of lobsters were sold.

– We did not know how extensive the case was. We do not know yet. We had to consider a possible claim for compensation, says Selås in the police.

From what NRK understands, the fisherman himself has claimed that the catch was made legally.

– But could you probably just take pictures of the seizure and release them back into the habitat again?

– Okay, but if we find ourselves in a situation where there is insufficient evidence, the fisherman could claim compensation. Here too there is a law in the picture.

– Did the fisherman himself demand that you sell the lobster?

– I don’t want to comment on that.

The man’s defender says his client does not admit criminal guilt.