Shooting at Directorate of Fisheries drone considered an offence against public authority

The facts of the case were that on the 25th of November 2024, an inspector from the Directorate of Fisheries used a drone to monitor a boat's fishing activities. During the surveillance, a fisherman on board the boat shot at the Directorate of Fisheries' drone with a shotgun, and the Directorate of Fisheries subsequently reported the act to the police.

In the judgment of the District Court of the Westfjords, case no. S-80/2025, it was considered proven that the accused knew or should have known that he was shooting at a Directorate of Fisheries drone. In the court's opinion, the purpose was to obstruct the surveillance of the boat's fishing activities.

The accused was convicted of an offence against public authority. He was also convicted of a firearms offence as he did not have a valid firearms licence. His sentence was a fine payable to the Treasury, and the firearm was confiscated.

An important outcome for fisheries surveillance

The court's decision confirms that actions aimed at obstructing or disrupting lawful government surveillance are punishable. The judgment thus underlines that the use of new technology, such as drones in fisheries surveillance, enjoys the same protection as traditional surveillance methods.

The outcome sends a clear message that attacks on or interference with government surveillance equipment will not be tolerated.

Precedent for the implementation of surveillance

The case sets a precedent for the implementation of fisheries surveillance and strengthens the authority of the Directorate of Fisheries to utilise technological innovations in its surveillance work. The judgment thus supports the objective of ensuring compliance with rules on sustainable and lawful fishing.

Furthermore, the outcome is likely to increase the safety of inspectors in their work and enhance trust in the surveillance system as a whole.