MIXED RESULTS LAST WEEK FOR NORWEGIAN PELAGIC FLEET

Mixed results last week for Norwegian pelagic fleet. Fishing for North Sea herring has varied so far this season for the Norwegian fleet, with 5 875 tonnes registered now in week 21, where most of it has been used for consumption. Fishing has taken place west of Bergen on the Viking Bank and Oseberg. The average size of the herring has ranged from 130 to 165 grams.

16 vessels have delivered herring in the past week, and there is a fleet of 17-18 vessels on the field now. So far this year, around 11,000 tonnes of the quota of 115,000 tonnes have been fished. Last year, when we had record fishing for North Sea herring in May, we had as much as 26,500 tonnes of herring in week 21 and 34,000 tonnes the week before that. We expect fishing to pick up in June when more boats start fishing for North Sea herring.

It has been a good blue whiting fishing for the fleet operating out on the “edge” of the North Sea with up to 200 tonnes a day. Six vessels have been active, with a total of 2,175 tonnes reported to the Herring Association.

For sandeels, week 21 has also been characterised by lacklustre fishing. The sample rate of the total of 2,680 tons was taken on Monday, and as much as 1,600 tons of the total has been delivered by a foreign vessel. So far this season, 13,800 tonnes of the Norwegian quota of 60,000 tonnes has been taken. There are now 5-7 boats on the North Sea fishing grounds.

Source: Fiskeets gang week 21 – Norges Sildesalgslag (sildelaget.no)