[ad_1]
The perpetrators were caught with driftnets on the outskirts of Hitra and Frøya in Trøndelag, in one of the most important areas for access to wild salmon in Norway.
With the help of divers from the Coast Guard, the Norwegian Environmental Protection Agency (SNO) found a total of 60 kilos of salmon that the two men are said to have dumped on the seabed.
According to SNO, this case is one of the most serious so far this year. But the cases are many.
– Illegal driftnet fishing for salmon has the potential to cause great harm, says Knut M. Thomassen, SNO Senior Advisor.
SERIOUS CASE: In mid-June, 11 salmon weighing a total of 60 kilos were found on the seabed off Hitra and Frøya. SNO describes the case as one of the most serious this year.
Photo: SNO / Norwegian Environment Agency
Taken with 300 meters of drift net
Fishermen can get large catches with driftnets if they find the right information.
In June, Trøndelag inspectors discovered the two men’s ship as they moved away from the area off Hitra and Frøya. This made the inspectors suspicious.
Later, they stopped the ship to inspect it. On board they found a 300-meter net, but no fish.
Thus, the inspectors began investigations, which led them to the place where 11 wild salmon had been dumped.
The two men are said to have been fined.
The number of reviews is increasing
So far this year, SNO has delivered 70 police reports of violations of the Salmon Law. That’s 20 more than last year.
In 236 cases, SNO has not discovered who is the owner of the confiscated equipment and therefore no reviews have been submitted.
Many findings and reviews are related to increased efforts by SNO, says Thomassen:
– We have focused more on the typical problem areas where we know there has been this type of business.
300 METERS OF WIRE: So far this year, SNO has erected some 13 kilometers of illegal nets. This net was found on the boat of two poachers off Hitra and Frøya.
Photo: SNO / Norwegian Environment Agency
It is in Vestland, Trøndelag, Nordland and Troms and Finnmark counties where the majority of illegal gear has been confiscated. Troms and Finnmark have the highest number of reviews with more than 20, says Thomassen.
According to him, SNO receives good feedback from the locals along the coast. He is happy that many people appreciate the work they do to end illegal salmon fishing.
