MELKART-4

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Latest news

Disabled trawler towed to Murmansk

On May 29, 2015, at 11.40 p.m. the "Kapitan Varganov" reported an oil leak at the shaft log oiling system and requested assistance in the northwestern Barents Sea. The ship was enroute to Murmansk with 23 crew members and a cargo of 164 tons of prawns on board. The salvage tug "Atriya" (IMO-No.: 8724107) was dispatched to assist. The trawler was taken in tow late at night on May 30 to be towed to Murmansk where the convoy arrived on June 2 at 1 a.m.

Hekktind acquitted of illegal dumping susppicion

On Nov 2, 2012, the company Nordland Havfiske was acquitted of the suspect of illegal dumping of fish from the "Hekktind" in 2010. Aker Seafoods said the case has been a huge burden for the crew, the company and the shareholders. The case had involved allegations of dumping from the vessel Hekktind summer 2010. It was the owner himself who asked the police to investigate in the allegations. A former employee had published a video that showed that large quantities of fish were minced and then dumped into the sea. The police started investigation and the company received a fine of 870,000 Norwegian crowns, which the company refused to accept. A majority of the court believed the former employee had initiated the incident. They believed this was an act of revenge against the company because he had an ongoing conflict with the company and crew. Norwegian report with photo: http://www.finnmarken.no/jobb/article6320775.ece

Trial because of illegal fish dumping started

On Oct 16 the trial against the crew of the "Hekktind" who was accused of one of Norway's most publicized cases of fish dumping began. In February the Aker Seafood-trawler lost the right to fish for seven months which was the harshest punishment given to fish dumping in Norway ever. The case began in autumn 2010 when a fisherman aboard the Røkke trawler filmed the illegal dumping of fish. The fish was crushed to soup on board the trawler, and then be flushed to sea. The fisherman who filmed the incident claims that 30 percent of their catch of 320 tons was dumped. Aker Seafoods received a fine and forfeiture totaling 970,000 Norwegian crowns respectively which they have refused to accept. Now the trial in the District Court in Lofoten Svolvaer started. Prosecutor Knut Inge Myklebust in his opening statement said he believes the film documented a clear violation of the Marine Resources Act and police have evidence of the fish dumping.Captain Roy Johansen stated that the video does not show the dumping of fish. Norwegian report with photos and video: http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nordland/1.8360450