HERRING SPAWNING TRIP: SAW FAR FEWER HERRING THAN LAST YEAR

Herring spawning trip: Saw far fewer herring than last year. Indicates continued decline for NVG herring.

Between February 15 and March 3, researchers from Norway’s Institute of Marine Research were on a herring spawning expedition from Møre to Tromsøflaket aboard “Eros” and “GO Sars”. They saw fewer herring than on last year’s expedition – as expected.

23 percent decrease from previous expedition

“Based on our observations with echo sounder and trawl, we estimate that the spawning population was 23 percent smaller in tonnes,” says expedition coordinator Are Salthaug.

He also reminds us that the spawning expedition is only one of several sources of data about the herring population.

“But this year’s decline is in line with previous forecasts and quota advice,” says Salthaug.

“A true Lofoten herring I am”

This year too, most of the herring could be seen outside Lofoten and Vesterålen – on the banks and along the Eggakanten.

“Similar to the last three years, there were very few herring to be found in the traditional spawning grounds south of Røstbanken,” says Salthaug.

The wave of aging continued

The dominant year class in the spawning stock is still the herring from 2016, which are now a full nine years old. These constituted 56 percent of the stock.

“In other words, the aging wave continues. The measurements from the expedition indicate that the next truly large year class is still to come,” says Salthaug.

Otherwise, the expedition went according to plan and the researchers were able to collect valuable information about the spawning population, despite bad weather.

New calculation method is coming

Now, scientists at the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) are working on a methodological revision of the stock assessment for the Norwegian herring. 

This means that they are considering making changes to the “calculation” for how they estimate the total amount of herring.

A revised population estimate will likely be released in early summer, and the quota council for 2026 in the fall.

See more results in the technical expedition report by clicking on the link below:

Reference

Are Salthaug, Erling Kåre Stenevik and Espen Johnsen. Distribution and abundance of Norwegian spring-spawning herring during the spawning season in 2025. Report from Marine Research 2025-18

Source

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