“Sapphire II” was arrested on September 28 by the Norwegian coast guard and towed to the port of Tromsø in northern Norway. The trawler was released on Thursday after the after the vessels owner presented a bank-guarantee for the fines.
The Norwegian Ambassador to Moscow last Friday received an official note of protest from the Russian Foreign Ministry after “Sapphire II” was arrested. The Foreign Ministry demanded an immediate release of the vessel.
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The captain and the owner company got a fine of NOK 50.000 (€6.400) and NOK 100.000 (€12.800) respectively while the damage done was estimated to be NOK 300.000 (€38.400), reports Itar-Tass that has interviewed Andrey Zaika, head of the Fishing Cooperation in Arkhangelsk.
A representative of the company says to Rossiskaya Gazeta that they intend to appeal the fines when the case will come up for a Norwegian court.
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Itar-Tass reports that the “Sapphire II” is now on its way towards the waters around Svalbard to cintinue fishing.
