EU and Norway embroiled in crab row

A POTENTIALLY serious row has broken out between the European parliament and Norway over crab fishing rights in a remote area of the Barents Sea.
The accusations come mainly from Polish fishermen who have moved to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard to fish for snow crabs.
They claim they are being harassed by the Norwegian authorities, who administer Svalbard under international treaty.
A number of vessels have been arrested by the coastguards recently and their owners could face big fines. Some Lithuanian fishermen have been similarly affected.
Now their case has been taken up in the European Parliament by Polish MEP Jarosław Wałęsa, who told fellow MEPs: ‘European fishermen are being prevented from operating by the Norwegian authorities.
‘This is not only the result of the unilateral action by this third country but has also happened because the European Commission has failed in negotiations with Norway, as well as failing in internal dialogue with the member states.’
Wałęsa, who is the son of the famous Polish Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa, said that according to marine scientists, the snow crab was an invasive species which was migrating from the eastern to the western part of Barents Sea and towards Svalbard.
‘The biomass and density of the snow crab is increasing and is expected to reach a level close to the estimated carrying capacity of the Barents Sea.
‘The snow crab is spreading and may threaten the Barents Sea’s fragile benthic ecosystem,’ he warned.
‘I think we have the high ground. I believe that if we cannot reach the right conclusions soon it will be time to take legal action against Norway.
‘I would like to avoid this situation, but maybe it will be the only way to convince our partners in Norway to respect and uphold the law.’
Norway\’s fisheries minister, Per Sandberg (pictured), said he was closely following the EU parliament debate, but added: ‘Norway has the exclusive right to manage snow crabs on the Norwegian shelf, and no one else can fish for crab there – unless the EU wants a deal.
‘The EU was not part of the Svalbard Treaty, so any legal action would have to be taken by individual countries.
‘The legal argument is on our side. Having said that, I hope we can find a solution that is good for everyone. Norway is an important partner for the EU, who share the same values ​​and goals as us.’