The Norwegian Marine Research Institute has issued its advice for the upcoming fishing year. It is proposed that the total catch in cod be reduced by 1%, which is less than many dared to hope. On the other hand, there is considerable disappointment with haddock advice, where the reduction amounts to 20%.
“We are glad that the consultation has only shrunk by 1%. You were scared shitless that it would be something more than that,” says Kjartan Páll Sveinsson, chairman of the National Association of Small Boat Owners, after the reaction to the consultation.
Haddock is crucial
Kjartan, on the other hand, says he hasn’t figured out what the haddock consultation will mean for the numbers. “It’s a devastating disappointment,” he says. “I need to take a closer look at those numbers but it went up pretty quickly and then it came down to a similar place as it was before that increase.”
Kjartan says the haddock is very important for small boat fishermen. “The flounder has a very strong effect on small boat fishermen and the 5.3% system because it is really the only thing that is properly left in the line concession. This is therefore very bad for the line boats,” explains Kjartan.
“It’s just a 20% reduction in allocated allowances and 20% less power. It’s going to be difficult for the liners.”
Many interesting things
However, cod and haddock were not the only species that made Kjartan prick up his ears at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research’s briefing.
“There has been an increase for a long time despite the fact that we have been fishing far beyond the advisory,” he says. “Then there was a decline in the advisory for roach, despite the fact that we have been fishing well below the advisory. Can the fish be kept in the sea and spawned later or not? That is the big question in this.”
