‘Pending clarification of the distribution issue for mackerel, we have set an interim quota at the start of the year, to ensure that the part of the fleet that starts fishing early gets the opportunity to do so,’ stated Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and the Oceans Marianne Sivertsen Næss.
‘The final quota will be set well in advance before the main fishing season starts,’ she added, commentinng that the distribution of quotas between the various vessel groups will be continued.
The purse seine and trawl group will be regulated with vessel quotas in the same way as in 2024, and the quota flexibility at vessel level will be continued.
The trial arrangement for the use of seine net gear for fishing mackerel will be discontinued. The purpose of the trial arrangement was to investigate whether it is justifiable to open up fishing with this gear more widely with a view to selectivity.
‘After five years of trial fishing, it is still not possible to conclude that it is justifiable to open up fishing with seine nets,’ the minister said.
