Norway’s fishing industry body Fiskebåt has asked the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries to reintroduce a quota swap scheme between North Sea herring and seine net fisheries for large coastal vessels.

The request, sent on 19 January 2026, calls for rapid action to improve fleet flexibility, reduce fuel use, and cut emissions.

The organisation says the lack of such a scheme is putting pressure on the largest coastal vessels amid rising costs and lower quotas in several fisheries.

Call for fast reintroduction

Fiskebåt argues that a quota swap scheme previously existed for this vessel group and delivered clear benefits. These included more predictable operations, lower fuel consumption and reduced overall emissions. Climate and environmental concerns, the group says, support bringing the scheme back.

The proposal covers fisheries for North Sea herring and seine net species as a first step. Fiskebåt adds that other fisheries could be included later.

Unequal access to flexibility

According to the letter, other fleet groups already benefit from similar arrangements. Purse seiners and pelagic trawlers have long had access to quota swaps, which Fiskebåt says have improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Smaller coastal vessels also have access to operational schemes such as joint fishing, direct pumping from nets and the use of carrier vessels. Fiskebåt says these measures have delivered documented gains in efficiency, emissions and profitability.

The largest coastal vessels, by contrast, have had limited access to such tools.

Costs, quotas and control challenges

Fiskebåt points to higher operating costs, reduced quotas and increased fuel charges as factors weakening the fleet’s financial room for manoeuvre. This, it says, limits investment in vessels and gear needed to meet future climate and environmental rules.

The group also says a quota swap scheme would help the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. Today, the directorate often struggles to charter vessels for control and inspection work. A swap scheme would reduce the risk for participating vessels and improve availability.

Fiskebåt has asked the ministry to start a process to introduce the scheme as soon as possible.