Overview of Russian fishery in North Atlantic and Central Eastern Atlantic as per 1 February - 28 February 2011

In February 2011 fishing operations in North Atlantic and Central Eastern Atlantic were marked by growing trends, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/.

According to provisional figures, Russia's harvest in February amounted to 117,500 tonnes that was by 38,500 tonnes more in comparison with January 2010. Almost 19% of all catches were provided by vessels coming from the nation's West Fisheries Basin (Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, etc.).

The number of trawlers operating in the Barents Sea increased to 88 including 80 vessels coming from Murmansk and 2 vessels from Kaliningrad. The same as in January 2011 the most of catches were harvested in Norwegian EEZ and amounted to 29,500 tonnes that is 11,000 tonnes more in comparison with January 2011. The catches mainly consisted of cod - 22,300 tonnes (+5,900 tonnes) and haddock - 6,200 tonnes (+5,000 tonnes).

Catches in Russian EEZ amounted to 8,000 tonnes (+600 tonnes) of which cod amounted to 5,800 tonnes (+1,500 tonnes), haddock - 1,900 tonnes (900 tonnes less).

The importance of Spitsbergen zone weakened as cod and haddock migrated to the south for spawning. The catch amounted to 5,400 tonnes (-8,100 tonnes) including 2,800 tonnes of cod (-700 tonnes) and 2,300 tonnes of haddock (-7,100 tonnes).

Ten longliners (9 vessels from Murmansk and 1 vessel from Kaliningrad) harvested cod, sea cat and haddock in the Barents Sea. The vessels mainly operated in the Norwegian zone, in the Grey zone and to lesser extent in the waters of Spitsbergen and in the loophole. Average daily catch rates varied from 9 to 17 tonnes per ship, with average rate amounting to 12 tonnes.

Trawl and longline fisheries on bottomfish grounds in the Barents Sea were fairly good in the period observed. According to provisional figures, since the beginning of the year cod catches amounted to 57,500 tonnes (18.7% of total Russian quota), haddock catches - 24,600 tonnes (17.6% of total Russian quota).

The number of vessels fishing capelin increased to 33 including 26 trawlers from Murmansk and 7 vessels from Kaliningrad. Fishing conditions were good with some negative trends by the end of February due to entry of front concentrations of capelin to territorial waters. Catches of BATMs per 24 hours fell from 108 tonnes to 87 tonnes. Capelin sizes varied from 25-30g in the beginning of February to 22-25g in the end of February 2011. The fishing operations were carried out mainly in the Russian EEZ and only on 28 February 2011 two Kaliningrad-based vessels moved to the Norwegian EEZ. Catches in the period amounted to 51,200 tonnes (43.3% of Russian quota) while in 2010 the catches amounted to 44,700 tonnes.

Herring operations in the Norwegian EEZ in February 2011 were carried out by 2 trawlers coming from Murmansk and 2 vessels from Kaliningrad. In the mid-February 2011 vessels from Murmansk finished operations and on 25 February Kaliningrad-based trawlers moved to Rockall Bank. Fishing conditions on herring operations were good, sometimes weather was bad. During the period observed total harvest of herring amounted to 3,800 tonnes (13.5% of Russian quota) in comparison with 17,500 tonnes last year.

Pelagic fisheries in the Mauritania EEZ in February 2011 were carried out by 3 Kaliningrad-based trawlers. Fishing conditions in the beginning of the month were weak with some positive changes by the mid-February. BATM vessels capacity increased from 20-30 tonnes per 24 hours to 60-65 tonnes. Total harvest in February 2011 amounted to 2,300 tonnes including 1,200 tonnes of horse mackerel, 300 tonnes of sardine, 100 tonnes of sardinella while in 2010 25,500 tonnes were harvested.

In Senegal waters 7 large vessels carried out fishing operations. The fishery conditions were good. The catch volume amounted to 15,100 tonnes including 9,700 tonnes of horse mackerel, 3,100 tonnes of mackerel and 900 tonnes of sardinella.

Provisional figures of Russian catches of main commercial species in the North Atlantic and Central Eastern Atlantic from the beginning of 2011 as per 28 February 2011 (in tonnes)