The new that Norway’s Institute of Marine Research (IMR) has given advice for mackerel quotas to be increased by 22%, blue whiting by 77% and Atlanto-Scandian herring by 104% has been welcomed by the fishing industry.
“It is very pleasing to see a significant increase in quota advice for these commercially important stocks, Atlanto-Scandian herring and blue whiting,’ commented Jonny Berfjord, chairman of Norwegian vessel operators’ federation Fiskebåt.
New research methodologies involving the industry to a much greater extent than in the past have resulted in these upward adjustments, while harvest regulations also allow for both a higher fish mortality rate and an increase in quotas when the population is estimated to be higher.
“This shows how important fishing vessels working towards better research is,” he said. “It is particularly pleasing that we get a marked increase in quota advice on Atlanto-Scandian herring. There are many skippers and other fishermen who have tirelessly argued that there is a basis for higher quotas. This is a standpoint that Fiskebåt has raised with researchers. Fiskebåt believes that IMR makes great efforts to improve their research. I think that there are many who feel an ownership of the research and ICES advice is the right path,” Jonny Berfjord said.
IMR advises a 646,075 tonne quota for Atlanto-Scandian herring, more than double the amount its 2016 advice, and a 955,302 tonne recommendation for mackerel in 2017. Advice on blue whiting is for a 1,342,330 tonne quota.
