Norwegian pelagic fishing saw a strong week, driven by good herring catches in the north and significant mackerel landings from foreign vessels.
A total of 30,500 tonnes of NVG herring was registered, mainly from ringnet boats. In comparison, 13,400 tonnes of mackerel were landed, with overseas vessels delivering most of the volume.
More stories about mackerel fisheries
Strong Herring in Northern Waters
Herring fishing continued at a good pace off Lopphavet and Sørøysundet, with the area around Kvænangen opened for coastal vessels late in the week.
This led to improved catches and larger fish. The recorded herring sizes varied widely, with a weighted average of around 298g. However, some grounds saw smaller 2021–2022 year-class fish.
With two intense weeks in a row, the national herring quota is now nearly exhausted. Fifty-two thousand tonnes remain of the annual quota of 252,065 tonnes, and the coastal fleet holds the majority of the remaining share. Lower weekly volumes are expected ahead.
Foreign Vessels Drive Mackerel Landings
The mackerel catch reached 13,400 tonnes, with nine foreign vessels contributing 12,400 tonnes alone. These catches primarily came from British waters east of the Shetland Islands. The average mackerel size was around 430g, lower than earlier in the season.
Norwegian boats, having already fished 1,600 tonnes above their national quota, are expected to contribute only small amounts in the coming weeks.
Limited North Sea Herring and Brisling
Only 225 tonnes of North Sea herring were landed, and brisling fishing varied by area, with the Trondheimsfjord season now opening with a quota of 578 tonnes.