MOSCOW, August 1 - RAPSI. The Norwegian charge d'affaires ad interim has been invited on Wednesday to the Russian Foreign Ministry to listen to the authorities' concerns over the Melcart-2 vessel's arrest, the Foreign Ministry reports on its website.

"Norway was told of Russia's invariable position on the non-recognition of the so-called 'fishery conservation zone' around Spitzbergen and the inadmissibility of the vessel's arrest," the ministry said.

Vladimir Khizhnyakov, the CEO of the vessel's owning company, told RIA Novosti that the Norwegian coast guard detained the trawler after accusing the Russian fishermen of illegally discharging fish overboard, which is a violation of Norwegian law.

After the arrest, the vessel headed to the port city of Tromso for investigation where the police decided to fine the owner and the crew 450,000 crowns ($74,186).

"We provided bank guarantees to be released," Khizhnyakov said. "We explained that we did not discharge fish on purpose and this occurred due to a technical malfunction. The transporter jammed and the fish were discharged."

The owning company's management has yet to see video evidence of the incident, as it must be collected from the police.

After examining the videos, the fishermen will decide whether to pay the fine or sue the police.