Fishery outlook for October 2007 in North Atlantic and Central Eastern Atlantic

In October 2007 the Russian bottomfish operations will be conducted under non-stable autumn conditions connected with dispersed concentrations and the start of the stormy period. Landings of cod and haddock are expected to be 5-10% smaller than in September 2007.

As the meat content improves, the red king crab fishery with trap gear will grow more active in the Russian EEZ. The group is expected to grow at least to 20 vessels.

In the Norwegian Sea the bulk of the Russian fleet will continue hunting for herring in the Norwegian EEZ. The landings of herring will be no smaller than in September 2007. The main challenge for the fleet is to cover as much of the quota as possible until the most important concentrations move to the wintering grounds into the territorial waters of Norway in the Lofoten area. A small part of the fleet will conduct blue whiting fishery in the enclave of the Norwegian Sea with a possible move to the Faroe zone by the end of the month. In the Northwest Atlantiс separate vessels will continue harvesting Greenland halibut.

In the Central Eastern Atlantic pelagic fish, mostly sardinella, will be harvested by a group of no more than five vessels.