Bad weather hit the mackerel fleet last week, cutting landings to only 5,800 tonnes. That is far below normal for the season.
Mackerel boats stuck in the harbour
Strong winds kept many vessels in port. A total of 61 boats landed fish, but catches were small. The largest haul came from Ola Ryggefjord with 360 tonnes. At the other end, some boats brought in just 500 kilos.
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Most of the catch, about 5,100 tonnes, came from waters southeast of Shetland. In the Norwegian zone near Oseberg, the total was only 400 tonnes. Along the coast, small boats landed 178 tonnes between Rogaland and Møre.
The average size of fish from offshore grounds dropped to 465 grams, down from earlier in the season. Coastal fish were smaller, between 300 and 360 grams.
Quota running low
So far this year, 120,700 tonnes of mackerel have been taken. Only 31,300 tonnes remain of Norway’s 152,000-tonne quota. With calmer seas, the fleet is expected to return to Shetland waters in the coming days.
The autumn moon usually gives good results for light-fishing along the coast. However, forecasts indicate that more storms are ahead, which may again slow progress.
Other species in focus
Herring catches were modest. Six boats landed 310 tonnes of North Sea herring from both Norwegian and British zones. Sizes ranged widely, from 170 grams up to 350 grams.
Two Danish boats brought in 3,500 tonnes of sprat from the EU zone, far north of the species’ usual range. Coastal sprat fishing opened in Rogaland and Hardanger. Early signs were good, but most of the fish proved too small, and boats pulled out.
Three vessels landed 1,700 tonnes of blue whiting, with Sille Marie alone taking 1,100 tonnes. The fish were caught along the slope from Egersund to west of Sognefjorden.
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