Catch and quota progress in Northeast/Northwest Atlantic and Central East Atlantic in March 2021

In March 2021 a few Russian trawlers were targeting various species at East and West Greenland, NAFO regulatory area and in the Mauritanian EEZ, reports Megafishnet.com.

Northwest Atlantic (NAFO Regulatory Area)

According to Fishnet.ru, two trawlers coming from Murmansk-led North Fisheries were operating in the NAFO Regulatory Area (subzones 3LN and 3O) targeting mostly redfish, one of them was targeting halibut during several days. Their total catch through the month amounted to 758 tonnes (-21MT), of which redfish made up 67%, halibut – 15%, flounder – 9%, skate - 3% and hake – 3%.

In the area of the Azores and Canary banks TSM Oma owned by SPK RK Murman was trawling on the grounds of mixed pelagic fish until 18 March. Through the month the trawler harvested 169 tonnes of fish, of which horse mackerel accounted for 89% and mackerel – 11%.

Mauritania

In the Mauritanian EEZ, two trawlers of Kaliningrad-based Westrybflot, Alexander Mironenko trawler of Taurus co. from Russia’s North Fisheries and two trawlers owned by Magadanpromflot from the Far East were engaged in the pelagic trawl fishery. The fishery situation in the course of the month, just like in February, was uneven and often weak.

The Russian catches in the Mauritanian waters in March 2021 amounted to 3,600 tonnes (+300 tonnes YOY), of which horse mackerel accounted for 69%, sardine – 4%, mackerel – 1% and bycatch of other fish species - 26%.

During the first three months of the year 2021 the Russian fleets harvested 11,600 tonnes of fish, in keeping with 11,500 tonnes last year.

Southeast Pacific

On 9 March RTMKS Admiral Shabalin owned by Murmansk-based PAO MTF opened fishery in the international waters of the south part of the Pacific Ocean. The trawler was mostly harvesting Cape bonnetmouth and alfonsino. The total catch through the month amounted to 2,500 tonnes, of which bonnetmouth accounted for 56%, alfonsino – 38% and horse mackerel – 6%. Last year the Russian fishery in the Southeast Pacific took off much later – on 15 August.

NORTHEAST, NORTHWEST, CENTRAL EAST ATLANTIC and SOUTHEAST PACIFIC: Dynamics of Russian catches and quota progress in January-March 2020-2021

Notes: 1. The quota here stands for all fishing countries – 8,448 metric tons. 2. Source of catch data: Fishnet.ru