The blue whiting fishery in the Northeast Atlantic reported a moderate week, with 29,100 tonnes landed by 19 vessels. At the same time, Norwegian spring-spawning herring in northern areas appear to be settling on the seabed ahead of spawning.
The largest daily catch came on Tuesday, when 11,800 tonnes were reported. Individual hauls ranged from 200 tonnes to 2,420 tonnes, the largest taken by the vessel Havskjer.
Blue whiting catches spread across three areas
Blue whiting Fishing took place in three main areas during the week. Around 5,600 tonnes were taken in international waters beyond 200 nautical miles. Fishermen there reported smaller fish during the past week.
Other vessels operated in the EU zone along the western edge and northern edge of the Porcupine Bank. Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries increased quotas on Friday for vessels holding blue whiting and pelagic/North Sea trawl licences in EU waters.
Of the weekly catch, 5,100 tonnes were sold for human consumption to buyers in Killybegs, Ireland. Demand for blue whiting for consumption has remained strong this winter, with a total of 34,500 tonnes sold for that purpose so far this year.
A large share of the Norwegian quota has already been taken
Norwegian vessels have now caught 162,000 tonnes of their 239,000-tonne national quota. More than 30 vessels have already completed their allocations.
Lower weekly landings are expected in the coming weeks. Fishing normally continues in the EU zone until the end of March, before moving to Faroese waters in April. Norwegian vessels are not allowed to fish blue whiting in UK waters.
Herring move to spawning grounds in the north
A small number of vessels also targeted Norwegian spring-spawning herring in northern waters. Six vessels landed 4,500 tonnes during the week.
Two Danish vessels caught 2,100 tonnes outside the 12-mile zone near Røst using a pelagic trawl. Norwegian vessels fished with purse seine west of Sandnessjøen and landed 2,400 tonnes combined.
Fishermen reported roe levels of around 20 per cent. Buyers also reported mature roe suitable for roe pressing. According to fishermen, the herring have now moved closer to the seabed to spawn, and catches by Norwegian vessels are therefore expected to fall in the coming period.