Photo: Norges Sildesalgslag /FIS

Norway Pelagic Fishing Update Week 27

NORWAY
Tuesday, July 08, 2025, 05:00 (GMT + 9)

Norwegian Fisheries Update: North Sea Herring Stable, Mackerel Season Kicks Off in Northern Waters

Bergen – Norway's pelagic fisheries are showing stable activity for North Sea herring, while the highly anticipated mackerel season has officially begun in the northern regions. This past week saw consistent catches for key species, with promising signs for quality as the fishing fleet adapts to dynamic conditions.

North Sea Herring Remains Consistent

A total of 37 different vessels landed 11,853 tonnes of North Sea herring last week. Of this volume, 6,694 tonnes were destined for human consumption, emphasizing the focus on quality markets, while the remainder was allocated for meal and oil production. Herring sizes varied, ranging from 168 grams to 235 grams, indicating a healthy mix within the catch.

With these recent landings, Norway's total quota for North Sea herring now has 43,884 tonnes remaining out of the initial 126,263-tonne allocation. The steady pace suggests careful management of this important stock.

Mackerel Emerges in the North

The first significant mackerel catches of the season have been reported, with a total of 200 tonnes landed by 19 different vessels over the week. Crucially, over 100 tonnes of this volume came from Northern Norway, marking the beginning of the mackerel fishery in these waters, with initial reports surfacing over the weekend.

The mackerel being caught is noted for its good quality and size, with individual fish weighing between 350 and 550 grams. This bodes well for the season ahead. Many fishers had kept their vessels docked in Lofoten due to challenging prospecting conditions, but with the mackerel starting to show, more boats are expected to head north again soon.

Meanwhile, mackerel fishing in the southern regions has continued in various municipalities across Rogaland and Vestland counties, mirroring the activity observed in Week 26.

Other Pelagic Catches

Beyond herring and mackerel, other pelagic species also saw activity:

• Norwegian Spring-Spawning (NVG) Herring: Several vessels targeting mackerel in the north also fished for NVG herring last week, with eight boats reporting a total of 439 tonnes.

• Blue Whiting: Four vessels landed 1,529 tonnes of blue whiting, all designated for meal and oil production.

• Sprat: Two foreign vessels, one Danish and one German, collectively caught 3,500 tonnes of sprat. These catches were made in the southern parts of the North Sea, specifically within the Dutch and German exclusive economic zones.

The ongoing activity across these diverse fisheries underscores the dynamic nature of Norway's pelagic sector as it progresses through the summer months.

Source: Norges Sildesalgslag

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