The new coastal vessel Elias Johan has made a fast start to its first herring season, landing two full loads of Norwegian spring-spawning herring (NVG herring) within days of arriving in Norway.
The boat, completed in Denmark, reported 430 tonnes from Kvænangen on Thursday and a second load of 430 tonnes late on Sunday. Both catches were landed in Senjahopen.
Herring Season Winds Down
Activity in the northern herring grounds has dropped as most vessels have now filled their NVG quotas. Elias Johan’s catches stood out due to size and speed.
The first landing averaged 310 grams per fish, while the second held 305 grams. A further 134 tonnes of penned-in NVG herring were also reported from Vesterålen, with fish sizes of 240–270 grams.
Busy Week for Sprat
Sprat landings were strong last week, mainly from the southern North Sea in the EU zone. Havdrøn delivered 395 tonnes for human consumption in Kalvåg, with fish graded at 70–80 per kilo.
In addition, three vessels – one Norwegian, one Swedish and one Danish – landed a combined 3,636 tonnes for meal and oil production.
Steady Catches of Mackerel and North Sea Herring
Seven vessels reported 111 tonnes of mackerel from Austefjorden south of Sotra, with sizes from 330 to 370 grams.
North Sea herring landings reached 280 tonnes for consumption from three vessels fishing west of Stavanger in the Norwegian Exclusive Zone, plus 80 tonnes for industrial use.
Four vessels also reported 47 tonnes of horse mackerel from Kvinnherad and Rogaland, with large fish of 500–600 grams.