The cross-border research group that has co-operated for more than sixty years has presented its recommendations for 2027 –including a slight increase in Barents Sea cod quotas for 2027.
The Norwegian-Russian research group recommends that catches of Northeast Arctic cod not exceed 312,667 tonnes for 2027. This is a figure 16% up on what was recommended for the current year, and is 10% above this year’s quota.
‘The increased advice is because the 2021 year class is on its way into the fishable stock. This is moderately strong, and stronger than the previous year classes,’ said stock manager Bjarte Bogstad at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research.
Despite this recommended slight increase in quota, the cod recruitment remains poor. The 2020 and 2023-2024 classes are weak. The 2021 class is average, while 2022 was below average.
‘The 2025 class is also below average,’ Bjarte Bogstad said.
‘Since the average age of cod that spawns for the first time is seven years, this means that there will be little replenishment of the spawning stock until 2028. Fishing in the coming years will largely depend on the moderately strong 2021 year class.’
The researchers also recommend an increase in quotas for haddock and Greenland halibut.
For northeast Arctic haddock, scientists recommend that catches not exceed 180,336 tonnes for 2027. This is 18% higher than the quota advice and final quota for 2026.
‘The 2021-2025 year classes are average or above average. These are now entering the fishery and allow us to recommend slightly higher catches than in previous years,’ Bjarte Bogstad commented.
‘But it is important not to fish these year classes too early, and let them exploit their growth potential.’
The scientists recommend that Greenland halibut catches in 2027 not exceed 19,610 tonnes. This is 3% higher than the quota set for 2026, and 32% higher than the quota advice for 2026. Greenland halibut is a long-lived stock, and scientists therefore advise for two years at a time. For 2028, the recommended Greenland halibut quota is 19,914 tonnes.
For 2027, the scientists recommend that redfish catches should not exceed 67,090 tonnes. This is 3% lower than the quota for 2026.
