The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association (Norges Fiskarlag) is sounding the alarm over mackerel fishing along the coast. The organisation believes the open coastal group is at risk of severe overfishing this year and has requested that authorities take action.
On Thursday, 28 August, the national board of Norges Fiskarlag sent a formal request to the Directorate of Fisheries and Norges Sildesalgslag, urging immediate changes to the current regulations. The Directorate has already halted fishing for vessels under 15 meters, effective Friday, 29 August.
Concern over uncontrolled growth
According to Norges Fiskarlag, an increasing number of vessels are signing up to fish in the open coastal group. The group fears that many of these boats are neither suitable nor properly equipped to handle the demanding mackerel fishery, which typically requires purse seine, gillnets, or handlines.
The organisation is particularly concerned that the quota set aside for this group will be exceeded by a significant margin, potentially leading to a severe depletion of the mackerel population.
Demands for stricter controls
In its request, Norges Fiskarlag outlined several crucial measures that are deemed necessary to prevent overfishing and ensure sustainable mackerel stocks.
These include:
- Reducing vessel quotas for the open coastal group.
- Intensifying inspections to ensure participating vessels are properly manned and equipped.
- Enforcing rules to prevent vessel owners from fishing in both the closed and open coastal groups in the same season.
“Without stronger regulation, we risk undermining the management plan for mackerel,” the organisation said.