North Sea herring landings in Norway have collapsed from more than 30,000 tonnes to just 5,441 tonnes in one week, as several vessels have already finished their quotas.
Norwegian North Sea herring fishing slowed sharply last week.
A total of 5,441 tonnes was reported. That is a steep fall from the previous week, when more than 30,000 tonnes was reported.
Several vessels have now finished their quotas.
But the fishery is not over. There are still 28,714 tonnes left of this year’s quota.
Best herring found at Bergensbanken
The strongest catches came during the weekend.
Vessels found high-quality North Sea herring at Bergensbanken, south-west of Oseberg. The fish was caught by purse seine and weighed between 180 and 187 grams.
This herring went for human consumption.
That was a clear change from earlier in the week.
Before the weekend, much of the fishing took place at Egersundsbanken. There the herring was smaller, with fish down to 106 grams. Most of that catch was reported for fishmeal and oil.
UK-zone herring also improves
Herring from the UK zone has also become larger.
Good catches for consumption were reported east and south-east of Orkney. They came from areas both north and south of the 59th parallel.
This herring weighed between 140 and 151 grams.
The Norwegian Fishermen’s Sales Organisation said it hoped the positive trend seen over the weekend would continue this week.
Blue whiting, NVG herring and mackerel reported
Blue whiting also featured in last week’s landings.
Six vessels reported 3,216 tonnes. Five vessels fishing at “Kanten” and “Steinevik” reported 1,725 tonnes from the Norwegian Sea in Norwegian waters.
Bad weather hit the north. Even so, 519 tonnes of Norwegian spring-spawning herring was reported from Vestfjorden.
The catches came from the area between Moskenes and Skrova.
Mackerel landings reached 182 tonnes.
Of that, 60 tonnes came from summer fishing in northern Norway. The fish weighed between 510 and 550 grams and was caught inside Lofoten.