The stock is now again below harvestable levels, and the relatively low quantities of immature capelin indicate that there are not fishing chances

Capelin Fishing Ban in Barents Sea Recommended to Continue in 2026

NORWAY
Friday, December 12, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Scientists Urge Zero Quota as Spawning Stock Hits Lowest Level Since 1995

Marine scientists are urgently recommending a zero quota for capelin fishing in the Barents Sea for 2026. This advice follows new measurements indicating a sharp decline in the stock, which is now below harvestable levels.

Dr. Georg Skaret, the marine scientist responsible for monitoring the capelin population, stated, “This year's measurements show that there were small quantities of capelin in the Barents Sea and especially in the normally most important grazing areas on and around Storbanken.”

The core concern is weak recruitment following two relatively strong year classes in 2019 and 2020. Calculations reveal that the current spawning population is the lowest measured since 1995. Although a zero quota was also advised for 2025, the stock level is now significantly lower—falling below 40 percent of last year's level.

Skaret emphasized the species' resilience, noting, “The capelin population is far down, but history has shown that it has a strong tendency to come back if given time to rebuild.”

Good Coverage of the Ecosystem Expedition

The crucial data comes from the ecosystem expedition in the Barents Sea, which serves as the primary source of knowledge about the capelin population. Coverage this year has been reported as very good.

The figure shows the coverage during ecosystem cruises in the Barents Sea 2025. Red circles indicate the average amount of capelin recorded acoustically per nautical mile (size of the circles is proportional to the amount of capelin). Gray indicates that capelin were not recorded. Click on the image to enlarge it

“We have covered the entire area where capelin is normally distributed at this time, both on the Norwegian and Russian sides,” Skaret confirmed.

Capelin in the Barents Sea is a short-lived population; the fish typically die soon after spawning and rarely live more than five years. This contributes to the population's natural tendency to vary greatly in quantity, distribution, and growth from year to year.

Since measurements began in 1972, researchers have documented three clear periods of collapse where the population remained very low for at least four years. The last decade has been marked by more short-term fluctuations, with low years—such as 2016 and 2019—alternating with years permitting an open fishery.

Capelin is a typical pelagic schooling fish that feeds on planktonic organisms and is an important prey for predators higher up the food chain, especially cod. Here from the ecosystem expedition in the Barents Sea in 2018. Photographer: Erlend Astad Lorentzen / Institute of Marine Research

“The stock is now again below harvestable levels, and the relatively low quantities of immature capelin indicate that there are not many chances for a fishery in 2027 either,” Skaret warned.

The final decision on the quota will be made by the Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission, which is scheduled to meet this week.

Original author and source (in Norwegian): Bente Kjøllesdal/Havforskningsinstituttet

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