The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research has recommended zero catch for this year’s sandeel fishery, due to critically low concentrations of sandeel in all management areas.
The sandeel stock in Norwegian waters is seen as being at a historically low level, having declined continuously from its peak in 2020. This is despite very low catches over the last three years, including a zero quota last year.
Results of the autumn survey indicate that the upcoming year’s class is also weak.
‘In recent years, the survey has also given an overly optimistic picture of the population. The one-year-olds we see during the survey are less likely to survive until spring,’ said marine scientist Espen Johnsen.
A possible explanation is that large quantities of haddock and whiting in the sandeel areas consume the juvenile fish before the fishery starts.
Researchers are being cautious before returning with an update after the sandeel expedition in April-May.
‘But there is little indication of major, positive surprises,’ Espen Johnsen said.
This year, the survey vessel will be Johan Hjort, plus remotely operated surface vehicle Frida, which was deployed for a sandeel survey for the first time last year. Conclusions were that Frida provided good sonar data, comparable to that of the research vessel.
Frida was remotely controlled from Bergen and conducted several acoustic surveys of the sandeel. This is part of HI’s long-term phasing in of lighter vessels, although under open sea conditions USVs have clear weather limitations that have to taken into account during survey work.
