The course of Norwegian fisheries as per 28th of March

Price record for blue whiting. Harsh weather dominated in the north - and modest volumes of herring in the south, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to Norges Sildesalgslag.

Capelin
Harsh weather has been a severe hindrance to capelin fisheries this winter - last week just 15.700 MT were registered. The main part was caught at West-Finnmark in the area from Sørøya island to Magerøy island. The capelin caught in this area was by the beginning of the week used for roe pressing. As spawning has started, only single catches were sold for consumption by the end of the week. Of the week's quantity, 11.300 MT were sold for meal&oil, and 4.400 MT for consumption.
Compared to prices previously this winter, the price level has been rather low lately. For consumption the prices are from NOK 1,85 to 2,71 at the best. Average: NOK 2,29. For reduction purposes catches are sold at minimum prices at NOK 1,32 and at NOK 2,25 for higher volumes meant for extended bidding areas. Average price for meal&oil; NOK 1,77.
As most vessel have finished their quotas and just 14.000 MT remain, the activities will gradually cease.

Atlanto Scandic herring
Just modest quantities of herring are now left in the Rogaland fjords and several vessels have closed their fishing. Just 240 MT were registered last week. The main part of this quantity was sold to a Nw buyer at prices between NOK 3,50 and 3,75. One catch was sold to a Danish buyer at a price NOK 1 above.
Just a few vessels are still in operation.

Blue whiting
Just two vessels have been in activity last week, catching 1000 MT. The catches were taken south of Rockall in international waters. The market for blue whiting for consumption is still good and the price passed NOK 5 for one of the catches.
In the forthcoming week just a few vessels will be operating west in the Atlantic.