Results of Arkhangelsk Trawl Fleet operations in first half of 2007

In the first six months of the current year 2007 OAO Arkhangelsk Trawl Fleet (plc), which is known as the largest whitefish quota-holder in the region, harvested ca.45,000 tonnes of various fish species, according to IA Regnum as quoting the company's press-service.

The bulk (ca.90% namely) of the ATF's harvest was landed at Russian ports with some of it processed at the combine's onshore plant. At present, the firm's land-based factory produces more than 20 products at RUR5.5-6 million per month. In the first half of 2007 ATF's gross sales amounted to ca. RUR1 billion.

In the first quarter of the year ATF's trawlers failed to meet their catch target. Landings were not stable due to unfavourable weather conditions. On the pelagic grounds the weather was rough starting from November 2006 up to February 2007 inclusive. In the waters of the Faroe Islands (ATF's traditional fishing grounds) the wind was rarely weaker than 20 meters per second. Even ATF's largest trawler Kapitan Gorbachev could not work under such conditions. Fairly good fishery both in the Barents Sea, in the Norwegian Sea and in the international waters of the Atlantic Ocean started in mid-May 2007.

At present, the crews have been reporting fairly large catches. The mackerel fishery has been finished with the quota completely exhausted. Three large freezer trawlers have moved to another area to continue harvesting blue whiting there. Seven trawlers are operating in the Barents Sea.