NORTH WIND INHIBITS HERRING FISHING FOR NORWEGIAN FLEET

North wind inhibits herring fishing for Norwegian fleet. A northerly wind has inhibited herring fishing for the Norwegian fleet, although conditions have been better for blue whiting and coastal market, reports pelagic sales organisation Norges Sildesalgslag in its weekly update.

North Sea herring
There is still no buzz about herring fishing in the North Sea, where 6,900 tonnes were caught. Sea temperatures are still low, and northerly winds have been blowing most days of the week. The herring are spread out so that the trawl is the most suitable tool. This is made clear by the fact that nearly 75% of the quantity is fished with trawls.
Of the week’s quantity, purse seines have contributed 5,200 t and the boats in coastal and other groups have fished the remaining 1,700 t.

Herring fishing has taken place from Patchbanken in the south, and further north where the northernmost catch has been taken at Vikingbanken. As usual, the average size of the herring is highest in the north. The average weight of the catches sold for consumption varies from 128 g as the lowest to 180 g as the highest.

From the buyers who receive the herring, there are still reports of a lower fat content than normal at this time. The best fat analyses show a level of around 15%.

Just under 30 boats have been active in herring fishing this week, and several boats have gotten ready to set course for the herring field. When the north wind abates, then the herring fishing should improve.

Sandeels
Another week of poor sandeel fishing where only 1,300 tonnes have been caught. This is from nine different boats with catches from a modest 25 t to 470 t.

Only 15,100 t of the quota of 60,000 t have now been fished. Fishing is open for a good two more weeks and most fishermen are pessimistic that there will be any improvement in this fishing. On Sunday evening, there are only a handful of boats left in the field, and several have switched to fishing for North Sea herring.

Blue whiting
The quantity of blue whiting for the week increased this week, where 8,800 tonnes were caught.

Mackerel
For mackerel on the coast, things have picked up a bit this week. About 90 tonnes of mackerel have been registered from fifteen different boats. The catches have been taken in various municipalities in Rogaland, from Bømlo and Kinn in Vestland county.

For mackerel fishing in the north, the boats have not been out yet as the weather has hampered this. The boats from the north are ready and the “southerners” start sailing this week. Last year, the first catch of mackerel was on 10 June in the north.

Photo credit: Norges Sildesalgslag

Author: Kenneth Garvik
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