The course of Norwegian fisheries as per 14th of March

Fairly good conditions for the capelin and production of roe is getting closer. - Herring activity in Rogaland and moderate reports on blue whiting in international waters, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to Norges Sildesalgslag.

Capelin
The weather has again been a hindrance and the week came out with a total of 43.800 MT. - Of this 26.500 MT were taken during the weekend. The catching has taken place in the area between the island of Magerøy and eastwards beyond Kiberg - a stretch of some 140 n.m. The sales for consumption purposes have been good and a volume of 28.700 MT are sold as ‘roe quality' capelin and mixed production. The prices have been from the minimum of NOK 1,80 to NOK 3,- for catches being carried southwards. Average price: NOK 2,34.
The remaining 15.100 MT sold for meal&oil, had a price of NOK 1,32 being the minimum price and reaching NOK 2,65 at the best. Of a total catch so far of 216.300 MT, 130.000 are sold for meal&oil purposes. The maturity in the capelin is reaching a point where the production for Japan is close to be finished and the process for pressing roe is close to start.

Atlanto Scandic herring
The catching of Atlanto Scandic herring last week has been carried out by coastal vessels in the Rogaland area. The aggregated volume was only 2.100 MT. The fishermen's reports indicate difficult conditions with modest findings and herring staying very deep in the fjords. The market seems, however, still very interested and most of the herring is being sold for consumption purposes at prices between NOK 3,50 and 4,06 - which is a high level this part of the year. - The "chase" goes on in the forthcoming week.

Blue whiting
No catches were reported last week. The main reason is harsh weather and few observations. 8 vessels are now operating in international waters and one vessel is situated north of Porcupine in the EU zone waiting for weather improvement. In this area the reports are more promising.