PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY. May 3 (Interfax-AVN) - Border guards at Kamchatka summed up the results of the Typhoon 2007 special anti-poaching operation in the Sea of Okhotsk that lasted from January 15 to April 20.
According to the press service of the North-East Regional Border Guard Directorate of the Federal Security Service the main objective of the operation was to protect economic and other lawful interests of Russia in preserving and utilizing the water biological resources, as well as to prevent poaching activities in the area.
The press service informs that the operation went in adverse conditions. More than 190 fishing ships were at sea daily, as well as up to 20 vessels and 15 floating factories.
Border guards had to pursue poachers, who tried to escape at any cost, even when threatened with weapons, many times.
A feature of this year's operation was that most of the poaching ships sailed under foreign flags, but had crews of native Russians.
Over 3,900 ships were inspected during the operation, 260 violations registered, 28 vessels detained, 65 physical and seven legal persons punished.
The fines imposed amounted to over 43.5 million rubles ($1.7 million), which is almost ten times more than last year.