MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Antarctic krill race continues

The four vessels granted licenses to trawl krill.

The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has issued four licences to trawl for krill off Antarctica this week. Two licences were given to Aker Biomarine Antarctic AS, and one each to Ervik Marine Services AS and Krill Seaproducts AS. The fishery will take place in areas controlled by Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

A total of 12 applications for fishery permits were received, but Norway can only issue four licences trough their CCAMLR-membership. "The permissions were granted to the applicants who we found to be satisfying given regulations," says director Truls Konow in the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. The many aspects considered by the directorate included: - The connection the applicant has to Norway. - Environmental concerns, especially with regard to vessel, catch technology, production and discharges from the activity. - Financial aspects. - Experience and know-how related to krill. - Research and development. It does seem clear that a number of applicants put forth applications in order to build new vessels for the project - a factor that could delay the start of the fishery- have lost the opportunity because of the delay implied in building a new vessel. Such delays would also reduce Norway's future historic rights to fish in the area, without this having influenced the decision on who should get licences to trawl for krill. In the beginning of the process it was expected that Aker Biomarine Antarctic AS would also apply for one permit for its vessel Saga Sea, currently operating on a research permit, and one permit for a vessel to be built. However, as reported on FIS.com earlier this year, the company abruptly decided to remove the vessel Atlantic Navigatorfrom surimi production in a joint venture with a Faroese partner. This decision looked like it paid off for Aker Biomarine Antarctic AS. The licences are issued to specific vessels, and the companies will operate the following vessels in this fishery: Aker Biomarine Antarctic AS Vessel: Saga Sea Loa. 92 meters, Dwt. 877, built 1974 Class: 1A1 ICE-C Stern Trawler Aker Biomarine Antarctic AS Vessel: Atlantic NavigatorLoa. 96 meters, Dwt. 4,065, built 1996 Class: 1A1 Stern Trawler Ervik Marine Services AS Vessel: JuvelIt originally applied for a permit for the vessel Hercules, however the vessel was destroyed in a tragic fire off of Chile recently. FIS.com obtained no further info on the replacement vessel yesterday. Krill Sea Products AS Vessel: VlieborgDutch registered General Cargo Ship, DTW 8,687 t, built 1999. To be rebuilt for this operation. Source: FIS