Russian fisheries in North Atlantic and Central Eastern Atlantic in March 2009

In March 2009 the total harvest of Russian vessels in the North Atlantic and Central Eastern Atlantic amounted to ca.112,600 tonnes, thus displaying an increase by 33,700 tonnes on the result of the previous month, fishery sources in Murmansk, with reference to provisional figures of National Centre for Fisheries Monitoring and Communication as per early April 2009, told www.fishnet-russia.com (https://www.fishnet.ru/).

The contribution of Kaliningrad-based fleets remained at 19% of Russia's total harvest in the area.

The rise of the total catch volume could be attributed to the Barents Sea capelin (+26,000 tonnes). In the Barents Sea the fishermen reported increased catches of cod, haddock and saithe, correspondingly 1200 tonnes, 5200 tonnes and 300 tonnes up on the previous month. In the Norwegian Sea the fishery of spring-spawning Atlanto-Scandian herring got closed with the result 13,600 tonnes down on last year. In the NEAFC waters to the west of the British Isles the blue whiting harvest amounted to 19,000 tonnes, 9800 tonnes up on the previous month. In the Central Eastern Atlantic the pelagic fish harvest increased to 10,200 tonnes, 3300 tonnes up on the previous month. In the Southwest Atlantic one Russian trawler participating in the experimental fishery harvested 2300 tonnes of krill, 900 tonnes up on February 2009.

Barents Sea

In March 2009 bottomfish operations were conducted by up to 60 ships, the main fishing area concentrated in the Norwegian EEZ to the southwest of the borderline of the Barents Sea as set by Russia's Federal Fisheries Agency. In the Russian zone, in the Grey Zone and in the waters of Spitsbergen the fishery was conducted by small groups of inshore vessels.

The total harvest of cod in February grew to 18,800 tonnes (+1200 tonnes), while the haddock catch grew to 11,200 tonnes (+5200 tonnes) and the saithe harvest increased to 3100 tonnes (+300 tonnes). According to the fleet's location, the bulk of the cod harvest (more than 80%), the haddock harvest (90%) and the entire saithe harvest were contributed by the Norwegian EEZ.

The active capelin fishery was conducted in the inshore zone at the distance of up to 20-30 miles from the coast of the Kola Peninsula. The trawler fleet working at sea contained up to 23 vessels of various types. The fleet was operating on the wave runs of prespawning capelin concentrations to the coast at 30-38 degrees North with the following migration along the coastline to the westwards. According to the operators, the fishery conditions were favourable and on the day of fine weather the group's total harvest fluctuated within 1000-1600 tonnes. The fishermen harvested roe capelin 14-20 cm (16-17 cm on the average). In the second half of March 2009 the roe yield grew to 22-24% and a part of mature fish moved to the spawning grounds closer to the coast.

The total harvest of capelin in March 2009 exceeded 46,000 tonnes, 26,000 tonnes up on February 2009, of which Kaliningrad-based vessels contributed 10%. Nearly all the harvest, except for that of Kaliningrad-based vessels, was landed in Murmansk. Since the beginning of the season the total capelin harvest amounted to ca.74,000 tonnes and the quota was covered at no more than 50%.

Porcupine

The blue whiting fishery in March 2009 was carried out only in the international waters to the west of the British Isles. The fishery conditions in general were favourable, but the fleet's results were influenced mostly by stormy weather in the first half of the month as well as by the lack of the fishing efforts. The total harvest of blue whiting in March 2009 increased to 19,000 tonnes (9800 tonnes up on the previous month) with a 47% contribution of Kaliningrad-based vessels.

Central Eastern Atlantic

Pelagic fishery in the Central Eastern Atlantic in March 2009 was conducted in the zones of Mauritania and Western Sahara. The total harvest grew to 10,200 tonnes (+3300 tonnes). The catches were dominated by mackerel (43%) and horse mackerel (29%).

Other areas

Single vessels were conducting a limited fishery of ocean perch, Greenland halibut and deepwater shrimp Pandalus borealis in the NAFO waters. One trawler continued experimental fishery of krill in the Southwest Atlantic. The krill harvest through the month amounted to 2300 tonnes, while the total catch since the start of the year amounted to 4500 tonnes.

Provisional catch figures for the North Atlantic and the Central Eastern Atlantic in March 2009