Clampdown on tourist fishing

Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre Vørn has launched a campaign against illegal tourist fishing.

On Saturday, guard ship Brimil caught four boats with German tourists who were fishing without the required licences.

According to Brimil captain, Óla Hans Olsen, the Germans said they were planning to bring the catch back home to Germany. 

The law on tourist fishing

According to article 40, subsection 3 in the law on marine resources management, it is illegal for tourists to sell fish caught in Faroese waters.

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The Minister of Fisheries can issue special fishing licences for tourists and can specify further terms and conditions.

A new problem

It has emerged that the German tourists had rented boats from locals, and the authorities are considering issuing fines for the local boat keepers.

Óla Hans Olsen says the authorities have been unaware of this problem until MP Kári P. Højgaard raised the issue in Parliament earlier this month.

It now appears that this activity is taking place across the country, he adds.

Translated by prosa.fo