Swedish drones to combat illegal eel fishing
The Swedish Coast Guard and the Agency for Marine and Water Management will soon deploy aerial drones to help stop the illegal fishing of the critically endangered European eel.
The project is based in Skåne county where drones will scan the coastline looking for illegal fishing traps that are placed about a half-of-a-meter underwater.
In 2016, almost 200 unmarked and illegal traps were seized by the agencies nationwide. And last year that number almost doubled.
Catching eels has been banned in Sweden since 2007 though some fishing of the snakelike fish is allowed.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Former Canadian police officer headed to jail for smuggling narwhal tusks to U.S., Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Moose on the loose: Peak crash season approaches in Finland, Yle News
Iceland: Feature Interview – Hunting culture under stress in Arctic, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Grouse declines lead to strict hunting regulations in Arctic Norway, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Are wolves from illegal Russian kennel in Finland?, Yle News
Sweden: Legal challenge takes aim as wolf hunt begins in Sweden, Radio Sweden
United States: Lack of sea ice has deep impact on wildlife and upcoming weather in Alaska, Alaska Dispatch News
