A fishing boat in the sea off Tromsø, Norway.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
Norway is implementing new restrictions on Russian fishing vessels accessing its ports in Tromsø, Kirkenes, and Båtsfjord, effective Thursday, August 1.
These measures, which were first announced on July 5 by Norway's Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss, aim to prevent the misuse of port access for illegal or undesirable activities, and form part of Norway's broader sanctions regime.
Under the new regulations, Russian fishing vessels will only be allowed to stay in any of the three specified ports for a maximum of five working days (Monday to Friday), reduced from the previous limit of up to seven days.
Access for Russian vessels is also restricted to specific quays and terminals within each port. Additionally, there must be at least three days between successive visits to any port on mainland Norway.
Russian fishing vessels may apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for exceptions to these restrictions, but such exceptions will be granted sparingly and only in special cases, Norwegian authorities have warned. When exceptions are granted, specific conditions may be imposed to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Russian fishing vessels granted access to the ports of Tromsø, Kirkenes, and Båtsfjord will also still be subject to other sanctions regulations, although an exemption does apply allowing for the sale of maritime diesel for the vessels' own use while in harbour at Svalbard or these three ports. This exemption does not extend to professional bunkering services, Norwegian authorities said.
Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that these tighter controls are a critical step in preventing potential illegal activities associated with port access, with the measures reflecting Norway’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its sanctions while allowing regulated access for necessary maritime activities.
Norway's sanctions against Russia, in line with EU measures, include a comprehensive port ban, with limited exemptions for Russian fishing vessels to unload fish, change crew, and secure provisions in Tromsø, Båtsfjord, and Kirkenes.
This arrangement aims to safeguard the sustainable management of Barents Sea fish stocks, crucial for both nations due to the breeding grounds in Russian waters that support cod and other species' renewal and growth.
The two countries arrived at an agreement over fishing rights in the Barents Sea for 2024 in a digital conference last October. At the time, Russia opposed Norway's port restrictions on Russian fishing vessels, calling them "illegitimate", and saying it reserved the right to suspend the agreement if further "unilateral restrictions" were applied.