photo W.Stoichevski

Four Norwegian seismic ships face police hearings after coming into conflict with fishermen, in a long simmering dispute over the alleged harmful effects of geophysical surveys undersea life.

Fisherman in Norway have tangled with the seismic ships, literally, and registered complaints with police. Norwegian Oil and Energy Minister Åslaug Hauge said she’d meet the Fisherman’s Union Wednesday.

“This can’t continue,” newspaper Aftenposten quoted Haga as saying, adding, “Seismic ships are not respecting fishing boats.”

Seismic “shock” is said to scare fish away and collisions between the two types of vessels have been reported. In addition, Norway’s environmental watchdogs have raised concerns that seismic shoots — shot in great hurry to curry oil-company favour — may be causing other harm to marine life.

Surveys are regularly announced in advance via large newspaper ads.