Following positive outcomes from this year’s ecosystem survey, Norwegian and Russian scientists are recommending a 196,000 tonne 2024 quota for capelin in the Barents Sea – more than triple the advice for the last season of just 62,000 tonnes.
‘The survey results show that it is the three-year-olds – the 2020 year class – that contribute the most to the maturing stock from which it can be harvested. At the same time, there are more four-year-olds than there have been since 1980, which also contributes significantly to the maturing population,’ said marine researcher Georg Skaret, who sits on the Norwegian-Russian research group that provides the quota advice.
The Norwegian-Russian ecosystem survey in the Barents Sea is the most important source of knowledge about the capelin population.
‘Last year, the amount of capelin in the Russian zone was unknown, as a result of technical problems with the Russian vessel. The lack of coverage on the Russian side led to greater uncertainty, which was reflected in the advice given for 2023. This year, the Russians had good coverage, which provides a good data basis for the quota advice,’ Georg Skaret said, explaining that capelin is a short-lived species, and its distribution varies greatly from year to year based on the size of the population, age composition and temperature.
The capelin population has varied a great deal over the years, but has now been relatively stable since 2021.
Two years ago, the 2019 class was the largest ever measured. But weight and length both for this year class and for the 2020 year class were among the lowest ever measured last year.
‘This year’s measurements also show low length and weight for age for two-, three- and four-year-olds, which indicates weak growth, probably as a result of competition for feed,’ he said.
The Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission is due to meet shortly for the capelin quota for next year to be established.
