The pelagic fishing industry expects another difficult year in 2026, with low quotas, market uncertainty, and growing political pressure on costs and access to fishing grounds, according to the annual meeting address by Pelagisk Forening chair Kristian Sandtorv.

He said 2025 ended stronger than expected despite tight quotas and uncertainty. The industry delivered solid results. But the outlook for 2026 remains challenging.

Low quotas and unstable markets

Quotas remain low this year. Market conditions are uncertain. This affects prices, demand and planning.

Sandtorv said the industry has shown it can perform under pressure. Cooperation between vessels and processing plants remains strong.

He also criticised media coverage that suggests the fleet fails to supply enough raw material domestically. He said such claims ignore capacity limits at Norwegian plants and the fact that foreign catches are also processed in Norway.

CO₂ tax and cost pressure

The CO₂ tax on fishing is a key concern. Sandtorv said the tax does not work as intended. There are no viable alternatives to fossil fuels.

A temporary decision has set the CO₂ tax for the fleet to zero from 1 April to 1 September. The industry wants this to become permanent.

He warned that Norwegian vessels face higher costs than foreign competitors because they do not pay the same tax. This weakens competitiveness and could reduce activity along the coast.

Disputes over quotas and international deals

International negotiations are taking longer and requiring more resources. A deal on Norwegian spring-spawning herring is in place. Talks on mackerel continue.

The situation with Iceland remains unresolved. Norway is no longer part of the current capelin agreement. Its share has fallen from 15% in 1980 to 1% under the latest deal between Iceland and Greenland.

Norway has instead secured approval for a trial fishery of at least 25,000 tonnes of capelin in the Jan Mayen zone. The industry wants this increased if the results are positive.

Pressure on sea areas and offshore wind

Competition for sea space is rising. Protecting 30% of the ocean and expanding offshore wind are key issues.

Sandtorv said proposed wind areas overlap with important fishing grounds. He warned that coexistence is unrealistic if turbines are placed in core fishing zones.

He also criticised weak impact assessments and called for stronger industry involvement in planning.

Research cuts and stock concerns

Cuts to marine research budgets are a major concern. Fewer surveys and less data weaken stock assessments.

Several stocks face pressure. Mackerel and cod quotas are at historic lows. There is no advice for capelin, sandeel, or Norway pout.

Sandtorv said weak mackerel recruitment is the main cause of current stock problems. He rejected claims that overfishing alone explains the situation.

Call for stronger recognition of fisheries

The industry also wants seafood recognised as part of national food security.

Sandtorv said fish provide millions of meals each day but are not treated as a core resource in policy debates.

He warned that this weakens the sector’s position in conflicts over ocean use and policy priorities, and that a fairer policy framework is needed.