2018 saw landings by Norwegian fishing vessels for the first time surpass a value of NoK20 billion, an increase of NoK1.4 billion on 2017 as catch values ticked over to the big number.
These high values have been reached in spite of a noticeable drop in key species, including cod, haddock, herring and mackerel. While there was a clear reduction in volumes, generally good prices resulted in record catch values for 2018, according to provisional statistics from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.
The pelagic fleet saw increased values, as while herring and mackerel landings declined, capelin was important and strong prices for mackerel and blue whiting brought a positive result.
Cod landings fell by 10% and haddock landings by 18%, while saithe landings were up by 13%. Despite the reduction in volume, higher prices for cod and haddock meant that the value of those fisheries remained the same in 2018 as in the previous year.
Cod and other such species represent catch values of around NoK10 billion, or half of the total 2018 values.
Shrimp landings more than doubled in 2018 compared to the year before, with slightly over 28,000 tonnes landed. While prices fell by around 6.50%, the overall values of landed shrimp came to more than NoK1 billion.
This led to an overall catch value of just under NoK2 billion last year for shrimp and crab, molluscs, a 50% increase on the 2017 figures.
