Overview of Russian fisheries in North Basin in early March

In early March 2007 the best fishery conditions for the Russian trawlers in the Barents Sea (in terms of catch rates and range) were observed in the Norwegian EEZ, especially on the grounds of large pre-spawning cod, haddock and saithe in the Lofoten waters.

According to provisional figures, total landings of bottomfish, bycatch inclusive, from the area reached 4800 tonnes in 8 days of March 2007, 300 tonnes up on the last week of February.

Capelin

Experimental capelin fishery in the Russian waters was conducted by one RTMKS supertrawler Boris Syromyatnikov owned by OAO Murmansk Trawler Fleet (plc). According to the information coming from the grounds, main concentrations of pre-spawning capelin moving towards the coastal line were spread along the borderline of the territorial waters to the east of the Rybachyi Peninsula. Strength of schools spotted by sonars enabled the fishermen to harvest 80-90 tonnes of capelin per day.

According to provisional figures, total landings of capelin from the area exceeded 1000 tonnes since the start of the experimental fishery through to 8 March current.

Scallops

Sea scallops in the waters to the northeast off the Kola Peninsula were harvested by one scalloper owned by JSC ZAO Barentsmoreproduct.

Red king crab

Red king crab fishery was not resumed and the total landings of the species since the start of the year remained at 900 tonnes or 225,000 crabs.

Norwegian Sea

Pelagic fisheries in the Norwegian Sea have not been tapped by the Russian fishermen yet. The herring fishery closed in late February. Taking into account the last landings, the total harvest of herring since 1 January is estimated at ca.14,000 tonnes, 75% of which have been contributed by Murmansk-led North Basin vessels.

In early March 2007 the blue whiting fishery continued in more southern areas.

International waters

Active fishery of blue whiting to the west and northwest of the Irish EEZ was continued by up to 15-20 trawlers, including 8 ships from Kaliningrad. Due to the start of the stock's abundant migration to the north (by the end of the first week of March the fishery moved to the 56th degree North) and more difficult weather conditions, the Russian harvest through the week dropped to 9300 tonnes (65% contributed by Murmansk-led ships).

In the meantime, Russia's total harvest of blue whiting from the area, including the Faeroese fishing zone, still increased to 57,000 tonnes (more than 65% contributed by Murmansk-based ships)since the start of the year through to the first week of March.

Central Eastern Atlantic

Pelagic fisheries in the waters of Western Sahara were conducted by 6-7 trawlers, 1-2 of which came from Kaliningrad (shipowner OOO Maritime Star (ltd). According to the information from the skippers, catches were dominated by sardine and sardinella. Due to increased fishing efforts in the area the total harvest of pelagic fish through the first week of March exceeded 3500 tonnes.

Since the start of the year the Russian harvest in the Central Eastern Atlantic amounted to more than 19,000 tonnes of mackerel, 1500 tonne of horse mackerel, 3500 tonnes of sardinella, 7100 tonnes of sardine and 500 tonnes of sardinops.