Fishing vessel Valdimar H (IMO 6807785) entered the fishing grounds north of Bjørnøya (Bear Island) in the morning of August 13th, making it the third Norwegian fishing vessel to defy the Russian missile test that had been announced in two larger areas north and south of the island of Bjørnøya, running from August 11th to August 15th. By August 12th it had become clear that several Norwegian fishing vessels would not be moving out of the area. Russian military authorities appeared to have believed that they could shut Norwegian fishermen out of their own fishing grounds. Fishing vessels Nokasa (IMO 8811247) and Atlantic (IMO 9849801) were the other two fishing vessels still located in the southern catchment area. They said that, since they had not received any notice from the Norwegian authorities to leave the area, they saw no reason to leave.
1968-built, Norway-flagged, 359 gt Valdimar H is owned and managed by Eskoy AH of Honningsvaag, Norway. As of August 15th it was “engaged in fishing” about half way between the northern coast of Norway and the island of Svalbard.
1989-built, Norway-flagged, 1,285 gt Nokasa is owned by Nordfjord Havfiske care of manager Rosund Drift AS of Valderoya, Norway. It is entered with Gard P&I on behalf of Nordfjord AS. The vessel had left Tromso on August 2nd.
2019-built, Norway-flagged, 2,816 gt Atlantic is owned and managed by Atlantic Longline AS of Aalesund, Norway. It is entered with Gard P&I on behalf of Atlantic Longline AS. As of August 15th it was Engaged In Fishing about half way between Norway’s northern coast and Svalbard.