Norwegian boats fishing mackerel in UK waters will be allowed on-site inspections in UK waters meaning they will avoid delays in landing
Fiskebåt, the organisation representing Norwegian fishing vessel owners, has confirmed that Norwegian fishing boats operating in UK waters will now be able to undergo inspections at sea, avoiding the need to dock at Lerwick for checks.
The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has addressed concerns raised earlier this week by Fiskebåt regarding the time-consuming nature of inspections for the Norwegian mackerel fleet in UK waters. Fiskebåt had also been in contact with the UK industry to discuss these challenges.
As a result, inspections will now take place at sea, a move that is expected to prevent vessels from having to dock for control purposes. It has been emphasised that inspections should be carried out as quickly as possible to avoid situations where vessels might have to remain in port overnight, waiting for checks.
Norway has also offered to collaborate with the UK on joint inspection efforts.
Mackerel fishing is of great economic importance to both the fleet and the processing industry in Norway. Any delays caused by inspections not being carried out upon arrival could lead to vessels missing their scheduled unloading times in Norway. Such delays risk downgrading mackerel catches, which would result in significant financial losses for both the vessels and the industry.