Russian trawlers spotted over British undersea cables more than 500 times

Global Fishing Watch data show that Russian fishing vessels operated over undersea cables linking the United Kingdom with Europe and the United States more than 500 times over four and a half years. London said it was strengthening the protection of undersea infrastructure with its NATO allies.

Russian fishing vessels were active more than 500 times over critical undersea communications cables linking the United Kingdom with Europe and the United States over four and a half years. The activity is reflected in vessel-movement data provided by Global Fishing Watch. The vessels allegedly regularly followed cable routes to monitor them and gather intelligence.

A NATO source said the activities and locations of Russian civilian fishing vessels were being closely monitored, noting that no fish had been seen on the decks of some of them. In September, the United Kingdom, Norway and the United States tracked underwater vessels operated by Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI) during a joint operation. The vessels were allegedly practicing the deployment of weapons against cables near Svalbard.

The Katran fishing vessel from Murmansk

A UK Ministry of Defence representative said the threat from Russia was clear. Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s press secretary said London was strengthening its defence capabilities with its NATO allies. In a White Paper published on Thursday, the government proposed modernising the legislation protecting undersea infrastructure, which is about 140 years old, including tougher penalties and new obligations for telecommunications companies.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee, warned that failing to protect the Arctic could leave unprotected the cables and pipelines carrying data and energy into the country. He called for investment in frigates, destroyers and submarines.

Russian trawlers spotted over British undersea cables more than 500 times