Norwegian Pelagic Fishing Report – Week 05 of 2025. Photo: Norges Sildesalgslag
Strong week for blue whiting and other pelagic fisheries, reports Norges Sildesalgslag for the fifth week of 2025
The past week has brought success in blue whiting and herring fisheries, with positive catches reported despite challenging weather conditions in some areas. Norwegian and European vessels have been active across several fishing zones, reporting robust catches that contribute significantly to this season’s quotas.
Blue Whiting: Major Catches in EU Zone
Blue whiting (kolmule) fishing is well underway in the EU zone, with a total of 14,760 tonnes reported in week five. Ten vessels contributed to this total, with the Danish vessel Astrid making the largest single catch of 3,100 tonnes on Sunday.
Most catches have been allocated for fishmeal and oil production, though one 630-tonne haul, with an average fish weight of 115 grams, was designated for human consumption.
So far this year, 18,080 tonnes have been caught from the total quota of 406,111 tonnes for blue whiting.
Norwegian Spring-Spawning Herring: Good Access Despite Rough Weather
The fishery for Norwegian spring-spawning herring (NVG-sild) has seen solid access despite periods of rough weather in northern waters. Last week, a total of 12,695 tonnes was reported.
Herring sizes have varied between 190 and 305 grams, with catches ranging from small hauls of 5 tonnes to the week’s largest catch of 1,530 tonnes by Liafjord. The most productive day was Tuesday, 28 January, when 6,380 tonnes were registered.
Fishing operations have been concentrated 20 to 30 nautical miles west of Grøtøya, and the fleet has now landed 102,546 tonnes out of the 257,871-tonne total quota.
The distribution of catches across different fleet groups was as follows:
- Purse seine (ringnot): 4,050 tonnes
- Trawlers: 5,295 tonnes
- Coastal vessels: 2,060 tonnes
Mackerel: Large-Sized Catches Reported
Three vessels, including two Norwegian and one foreign, reported 1,512 tonnes of mackerel last week. The fish were of good size, weighing between 415 and 463 grams, with fishing activity focused northwest of the Scottish coast.
North Sea Herring: Modest Catch Volumes
Five vessels reported a combined 223 tonnes of North Sea herring last week.
Horse Mackerel: Small but Noteworthy Catch
Finally, the vessel Sørwaag reported a 15-tonne catch of horse mackerel from Sognefjorden, rounding out the week’s activity in pelagic fisheries.
With solid catch figures across key species, industry experts anticipate continued strong performance in these fisheries in the coming weeks.
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