Criminal actors should not be allowed to operate in peace

Fisheries crime is a real threat to the sustainability of the sea and the legitimacy of the industry.

The fishing industry reaps great values ​​from a limited resource. When some players choose to break the rules, the consequences can be great – for the sustainability of the sea, the justice in the market and the confidence in the system.

Fisheries crime can take the form of organized financial crime, where the offenses occur planned, over time and often in the hidden. When catches are not recorded, or information is manipulated, the basis for fair competition and sustainable resource management is weakened.

Most people in the industry want to do things right. At the same time, we must deal with a group that violates the regulations in a systematic and professional manner.

Such violations have consequences far beyond individual situations. It affects both the administration, the industry and the community.

When catches are not registered properly, quota control is weakened, law -abiding actors are squeezed out and confidence in the system is undermined.

In order for fish in the sea in the future, we need to know how much and what is being fished. When some fishermen and reception systematically commit offenses, for example by misreporting of catch sizes, the biological and economic accounts are wrong – and we risk overfishing and impaired sustainability. It undermines the whole basis for looking after the food platter we all depend on.

For the Directorate of Fisheries, this means that the effort must be as structured and thoroughly as the offenses you face.

– It’s not about one error on one banknote, but about patterns that show that the entire control system is at stake. When someone systematically breaks the rules, we must be equally systematic in how we work to stop them.

Seafood and trust

Fish is Norway’s second largest export industry. The confidence that Norwegian seafood products are harvested and handled in line with the regulations are crucial for market access and pricing.

Fisheries crime not only harms the law -abiding players, but can also weaken Norway’s reputation as a reliable supplier of seafood. It is therefore essential that we maintain strict control routines.

The Directorate of Fisheries corrects the control effort where the risk is greatest. Through analyzes and risk assessments, patterns and actors are identified with a higher probability of severe fractures.

We know that this form of work works. It makes us more accurate – and it strengthens legal certainty. When several academic environments work together towards the same goal, we also get a more comprehensive picture of what is happening. The coordination between the agencies enables us to better intervene against the most serious cases.

We do not look at chance. We are looking for patterns.

More than control

Work on fishing crime is not just about control and reaction. It is also about reducing the risk before breaches occur – through visibility, guidance and dialogue with the industry.

When we are in close contact with the players, we not only get to reveal more – we also prevent more. Open communication provides higher awareness of the regulations and fewer violations.

But unfortunately, there is not always control to meet with cooperation.

Unfortunately, in many cases, the Directorate of Fisheries’ inspectors have been met with insulating, threats and attempts to prevent control. Although there are exceptions, the experience shows how important it is to protect the control function. We have zero tolerance for threats and insulting. Our role is to protect the values ​​of the community – and we do this through control, guidance and clear presence. Criminal actors should not be allowed to operate in peace.

The Directorate of Fisheries works closely with the police and provides professional assistance in matters that require specialized knowledge of the fishing industry.

Our role is to uncover and document offenses, but also to sanction where there is a basis for it. We are authorized for both violation fees and withdrawal, and follow up the rules with reactions adapted to the severity. When investigations are needed, we assist the police with our professional expertise.

Those who follow the rules should notice that we are present. Those who break them should notice it even more.