Norwegian vessels landed 35,300 tonnes of herring in one week, with Altafjorden dominating catches as the remaining quota rapidly shrinks.
Norway’s herring fleet has now caught 83% of its 334,500-tonne quota following another bumper week, leaving just 56,900 tonnes available and raising expectations of a slowdown in fishing activity.
According to Norges Sildesalgslag, 59 vessels landed 35,300 tonnes of Norwegian spring-spawning herring during week 44, with 33,000 tonnes caught in Altafjorden alone.
Altafjorden dominates herring catches
Fishing initially took place in both Kvænangen and Altafjorden, but vessels moved to Altafjorden as herring became increasingly difficult to find in Kvænangen.
Purse seiners caught 24,400 tonnes, while coastal vessels caught 10,900 tonnes. Individual landings ranged from seven tonnes to 1,450 tonnes, with Kings Bay recording the largest catch.
Average herring weights varied considerably, reaching 269 grams in Altafjorden and 308 grams in Kvænangen.
Quota exhaustion threatens to slow fishing
Several vessels have already exhausted their quotas, prompting expectations of lower weekly landings.
Norges Sildesalgslag also expects some catches to be taken against next year’s quota under existing flexibility arrangements.
Smaller coastal vessels requiring carrier vessels are expected to join the northern fishery.
Mackerel landings reach 4,800 tonnes
Mackerel fishing continued, producing approximately 4,800 tonnes during the week.
Six vessels from Shetland and Scotland landed 3,100 tonnes, while four larger Norwegian coastal vessels caught 430 tonnes in British waters east of Shetland.
Another 670 tonnes came from 44 smaller coastal vessels operating between Rogaland and Øygarden.
North Sea herring landings totaled 120 tonnes, while four vessels caught 100 tonnes of horse mackerel in Norwegian fjords.