Originally posted by Hangtime
Check that map again.. those waters and the fish population there represents the economic health of Norway and Scandanavia.. that's their breadbasket you are encroaching on, overfishing and abusing. Those resources are Strategic as far as Scandanavia is concerned and this encroachment and abuse of treaty by Russia could be construed as a serious provocation.
Looks like you don't know.....
Ok, when in 1920 Norway annexed Spitsbergen, there began major discussions between Norway and Russia about using this land. In 1925 they established an agreement about cooperated use of the Spitsbergen. In 1947 it was corrected due to limitations of UN.
Now. In 1976, UN declared about right of every country to have 200 miles economical water zone. This zone should be 200 miles from _mainland_. In 1977, Norway declared 2 zones. One zone 200 miles north of mainland, and another one. 200 miles around Spitsbergen wich they named "Fisheryguard zone". Soviet Union signed agreement about first zone and denied agreement about second zone. In first, because of Norway don't have and never had rights to exclusive use of this place and in second, because of Soviet Union had fishery interests in that region.
By the way, maybe you don't know, but we have two towns on Spitsbergen.
Ok, let's continue. In 2001 Norway is denying season fishing for countries who do not participate an agreement of 1925/1947. For all others they created quotas. But norwey trawlers still fishing without any quotas and limitations. After that in 2004 they denyied fishing for russian trawlers. Only quotas. Maybe Norway forgot, but Spitsbergen is not official norway territory. It's still "under external control". And any limitations can be applyed only if all memebers are agree with that.
After 2004 there began serios problems for both sides. Russian trawlers began to be arrested and punished. The same was made the first time in the history for norway ships. After that, Norway offered temporary agreement of using fisherguard zone. Due to this agreement, Norway coast guard still can check russian trawlers, as it can do for all others in the region. But they can not punish them or arrest. Just control. The agreement was signed.
Another part of this agreement was about cooperated duty of our border guard ships in the region. For example, norway ships can be under the protection of russian border ships and vice versa. But here began strange situations, when our ship is on duty, Norway coast guard is not present in the region and all trawlers, russian and norway are feeling ok. Just our ship is living area, Norway coast guard beginning unlawful arrests and punishments.
So, this situation should be solved in 4 years due to agreement.
And norway trawlers still fishing without any quotas and limitations.
I hope they kick your tulips all the way back to Murmask.
Faith is a shelter of poor in Spirit.
Sure you can hope. If you think this will help you.
