Norwegian longliner Geir came out top in the lottery to take part in an experimental cod fishery in Jan Mayen.
The Directorate of Fisheries selected Geir and Veidar from six longliners that applied to participate in the Jan Mayen fishery this year. If either of these two drop out, those places will go to other vessels on the list for the fishery that opened on 10th September through to the end of 2021.
Geir has been involved in this fishery twice in the past, and last year completed two trips, landing 300 tonnes of cod from their autumn trip to Jan Mayen waters.
This year the Ministry has allowed a 600 tonne quota, with 20 tonnes set aside for by-catches in other fisheries.
The cod fishery around Jan Mayen began in 2018 when Loran caught volumes of cod there that took scientists by surprise, after which researchers decided to explore the likelihood of there being a discrete Jan Mayen cod stock.
Extensive sampling has been done since 2018 and a member of the Institute of Marine Research staff sailed with Geir on the last trip to Jan Mayen.
