The recently published report from Bodø University College and Fritjof Nansen Institute in Norway, studies the relationship between marine scientists in Norway and Russia, Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten writes.
The report reveals that there is a growing discontent among Russian scientists of the Norwegian knowledge control for management of the cod stock in the Barents Sea. The importance of the High North and the fish resources in the region is higher than ever. Russian acceptance of Norwegian control of the management is therefore no longer obvious.
Earlier the marine resources have been managed by the Institute of Marine Research in Norway and the Russian PINRO institute in Murmansk. In the past years the Russian federal marine research institute, VINRO in Moscow, has been more active in the management. VINRO has presented some alternative methods of estimating the stock of cod in the Barents Sea, but these methods has been firmly rejected by Norwegian scientists. This has led to discontent among Russian scientist and talks about Norwegian arrogance.
The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research does not agree with the reports description of the situation, but says to Aftenposten that they of course should be careful to appear with a Norwegian know-all attitude.
