Outlook for fisheries in the North Basin in June 2008

In June 2008 in the Barents Sea the Russian shipowners and vessel managers will be getting ready for the most favourable conditions for bottom fishery beyond the Norwegian EEZ. The bulk of the fishing vessels will be located in the Russian waters. It is expected that landings of cod and haddock may increase by 10-20% as compared to April 2008, told www.fishnet-russia.com (https://www.fishnet.ru/).

Blue whiting

Already in the first ten days of the month the blue whiting fishery is forecasted to move to the south part of the enclave of the Norwegian Sea where the efficiency will be not lower than in the Faroese fishing zone. But the total harvest of blue whiting in June is forecasted to decrease as compared to the results in May 2008, because a lot of the vessels will be targeting mackerel in the international waters of the Norwegian Sea.

Mackerel

Active fishery of Atlantic mackerel will start already in the second half of June. According to the order No. 284 dated 3 April 2008 issued by the State Fisheries Committee, the Russian quota for commercial fishery in the NEAFC waters for the year 2008 amounts to 22,000 tonnes of mackerel and 106,000 tonnes of blue whiting.

Satisfactory conditions for fishery are expected on the grounds of ocean perch Sebastes mentella in the Irminger Sea. The average daily catch rates will be obviously somewhat down on the corresponding results of May current, but they will still be not lower than 10 tonnes per TSM trawler. The main fishing area will be located along the south and southwest border of the Icelandic fishing zone in the waters of the 30th degree West. According to the order of the State Fisheries Committee No. 432 dated 16 May 2008, the Russian quota of ocean perch in the Irminger Sea in the NEAFC waters for commercial fishery in 2008 amounts to 27,500 tonnes.