Marine life – our common responsibility www.fiskeridir.no

Manipulation of weighing systems

Senior MCS Adviser Bjarne Schultz Norway

Auckland, 08.03.2016

Marine life – our common responsibility www.fiskeridir.no

Content

• IUU/Fisheries Crime at landing • MCS of pelagic fisheries in North-East

Atlantic • International recommendations (OIML)

regarding weighing instruments • Weighing systems in use, incl. PLC systems • How are weighing systems manipulated? • How to approach this challenge?

Marine life – our common responsibility www.fiskeridir.no

Marine life – our common responsibility www.fiskeridir.no

IUU and Fisheries Crime at landing

• For IUU and fisheries crime the point of landing is critical

• The North-East Atlantic situation • Weighing systems can be manipulated

– RSW landings (up to 70 tones per hour) – Mackerel the most valuable specie

• First hand value per hour in 2015 – USD approx. 68.500 – EUR approx. 60.500 – NZD approx. 103.000

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MCS of pelagic fisheries in North-East Atlantic

• Regulated by Costal State Agreements – Cooperation between Costal States in the

field of MCS – Working Group of Control Experts

• Tasked to focus on issues that can effect quota outtake and the objective of a level playing field

• Manipulation of weighing instruments identified as a serious challenge

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International recommendations

• International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) - Located in Paris, France – 128 members (UN 193) – The aim of OIML is to enhance the impact of industrial

development and economic growth and to minimize technical barriers to trade

• Norway have identified gaps between international recommendations for belt weighing systems and what is needed to enforce fisheries laws and regulations – Norway have adjusted national regulations to fill these

gaps

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Weighing systems in use incl. PLC systems

• Type of weighing systems in use;

– human consumption: belt weighing systems – industrial purposes (fishmeal/fish oil): batch

weighing systems • Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems are

usually connected to such weighing systems • Weighing systems connected to PLC systems are

challenging from a law and enforcement point of view

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PLC systems What is it???

• Industrial computer control systems – Mission to steer processing functions based on

signals from various sources – Production lines, machine functions or process

could be customized and enhanced using PLC – Commonly used in all industries

• Benefits using PLC systems: – the ability to change and replicate the operation or

process while collecting and communicating vital information

– it is modular and can mix and match types of “input/output” devices

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PLC systems What is it??

• “Open system” (no sealing) – It is easy/possible to:

• access the system • change parameters and functions in PLC software • change or bypass weighing functions

• Result: Manipulation of weighing instruments

carried out by remote control of the PLC system using smartphones, tablets or PC

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Schematic diagram of PLC systems used to control batch weighing systems

PLC systems connected to weighing systems

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Type of manipulations

• Manipulation of weighing systems could de done: – Mechanical – Electronical – Breaking seals – Through PLC systems “bypass” seals in or at

weighing systems

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Examples of manipulating belt weighing systems

• Preventing “free movement” of the weighing bridge – Ex: Wooden wedges, piece of plastic, broomstick

• Interfering with Zero-point settings

– Setting new “negative” zero–tare with load on

• Disconnecting the belt weighing systems “stop function” – The belt weighing system can run without any register

of fish passing the weighing bridge (used as ordinary conveyer belt)

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Example of manipulation 1

Wooden wedges

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Example of manipulation 2

Piece of plastic

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Example of manipulation 3

Use of broomstick

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Wiring Closet

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Different types of seals

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INTERNET

PLC system

Manipulation through PLC systems

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Consequences of manipulating the weighing systems

• Weighing systems are used to “laundry” fish – The registered quantities are less than the

quantities that actually pass the weighing system – Violation of fisheries, tax and custom regulations – Violation of OIML recommendations

• Manipulation of weighing systems are wilful economic crime (fraud), including environmental crime

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How to approach this challenge in operative

work?

• When manipulation of weighing systems are discovered – “freeze” the situation if you have the legal authority – Secure technical evidence – Photos/videos

• Approach as crime technicians

– Crime scene – Huge variety of evidence/“silent witnesses” – Complicated and time consuming to investigate

• Skilled personnel is strongly needed

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Thank you for your attention!! Questions??