Russian scientists producing outlook for nation's catch of pelagic species in Northeast Atlantic in 2009
Under the decisions approved at the 27th meeting of NEAFC, 32nd meeting of Mixed Russian-Faroese Fishery Commission and the 38th meeting of Mixed Russian-Norwegian Commission, the Russian harvest of pelagic fish (blue whiting, mackerel, herring, capelin and polar cod Boreogadus saida) in the Northeast Atlantic in 2009 is forecasted to exceed 600,000 metric tons, reports www.fishnet-russia.com (www.fishnet.ru) with reference to the sources in the scientific circles.
The herring and mackerel catches are expected to increase, and the capelin fishery in the Barents Sea will be resumed. In the meantime, due to depleted condition of the stock the harvest of blue whiting will decrease. Actually, now blue whiting is the most problematic species for the international fishery operations.
Russian quotas of blue whiting in 2008-2009, metric tons
Year | International waters of the Norwegian Sea | Faroese Fishing Zone | Total |
2009 | 60,000 | 100,000 | 160,000 |
2008 | 109,000 | 120,000 | 229,000 |
+ / - | - 49,000 | - 20,000 | - 69,000 |
Russian quotas of mackerel in 2008-2009, metric tons
Year | International waters of the Norwegian Sea | Faroese Fishing Zone | Total |
2009 | 29,700 | 12,800 | 42,500 |
2008 | 23,506 | 8,200 | 31,706 |
+ / - | 6,194 | 4,600 | 10,794 |
Russian quotas of Norwegian spring-spawning (Atlanto-Scandian) herring in 2008-2009, metric tons
2009 | 2008 | + / - | |
Atlanto-Scandian herring | 210,633* | 194,607* | 16,026 |
*Including in the international waters of the Norwegian Sea
Barents Sea capelin
After a five-year moratorium starting from autumn 2003 the capelin fishery in the Barents Sea is resumed in 2009. The capelin TAC for the coming year has been set at 380,000 tonnes. The Russian quota has been approved at 152,000 tonnes (40% of the TAC). In 2008 Russia and Norway have been allocated 5000 tonnes of capelin each for the stock management and scientific purposes.
Polar cod Boreogadus saida of the Barents Sea
The allowable catch of polar cod Boreogadus saida in the Russian waters of the Barents Sea in 2008 has been agreed at 52,000 tonnes. According to the provisional figures, the TAC 2009 of polar cod Boreogadus saida in the Russian EEZ can be increased to 55,000 tonnes.
Pelagic ocean perch in the international waters of the Norwegian Sea
The ocean perch TAC 2009 in the international waters of the Norwegian Sea has been decreased to 10,500 tonnes, for comparison for the year 2008 the TAC has been set at 14,500 tonnes. The Olympic system will be retained for the international fishery, the start of which is shifted by two weeks ahead. In 2009 the fishery is to be started on 15 August 2009.
Pelagic ocean perch of the Irminger Sea
Stock assessment, approval of the TAC and the national quotas will take place in February-March of 2009 before the start of the fishery season.