Photo: Norges Sildesalgslag/Helge Skavlan

Norway Pelagic Fishing Update Week 2

NORWAY
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Record-Breaking Week for Herring in the North

Strong volumes and a shifting fleet define a high-activity week for the Norwegian fishing industry.

It has been a "boom week" for herring in the North, supplemented by significant landings from foreign vessels. From NVG herring to mackerel and sprat, the industry is seeing high intensity across multiple sectors.

NVG Herring

It was an exceptional week for herring in the north, with 87 different vessels reporting a massive total of 44,500 tons. The peak occurred on Saturday, with a single-day registration of 11,100 tons.

As expected, the coastal group contributed the most, landing 22,900 tons. The purse seine fleet followed with 19,500 tons, while two vessels from the trawl group accounted for 1,900 tons.

For the smallest vessels in the coastal group requiring transport ships, the winter season has now concluded. A total of 9 different transport assignments moved 7,700 tons to various buyers along the coast.Shift in Fishing Grounds

Photo: Norges Sildesalgslag/Helge Skavlan

Fishing in the north centered on two primary areas:

• Kvænangen: Herring has been present here since October, but the fish changed behavior before the weekend, staying scattered and deep, making it difficult for purse seine nets.

• Alta: The fleet shifted to the waters outside Alta, where purse seiners operated all week as they were restricted from entering the fjord lines in Kvænangen.

Availability in Alta has been excellent, with the herring rising in the water column at dawn. Some hauls exceeded 2,000 tons, though size consistency remains a challenge. Average weights ranged from 200 g to 319 g, with a weighted weekly average of 272 g.

Further south, in Lofoten, Helgeland, Hitra, and Møre, the coastal fleet landed 900 tons, with sizes varying between 220 g and 390 g. Experts expect the herring to soon begin its southward spawning migration.

Mackerel

Foreign mackerel fishers began their season shortly after the New Year. Last week, the vessels "Voyager" and "Serene" delivered a combined 2,600 tons to Norway.

The fishing took place west of Shetland using pelagic trawls. The fish averaged 450 g, and buyers report excellent quality. However, a significant decrease in mackerel volumes is expected at Norwegian plants this winter due to lower quotas and a 70% landing requirement imposed by Scottish authorities for their own industry.

Horse Mackerel

The hunt for the elusive horse mackerel continued with four vessels reporting nearly 75 tons. These catches were made in the fjords of Rogaland, Vestland, and Møre. Notably, the horse mackerel in Møre is extremely large, averaging 700 g, compared to 500 g in other areas.

Sprat

In the Baltic Sea, Swedish and Danish vessels have seen success with sprat. The vessels "Astrid Marie" and "Themis" reported a total of 3,300 tons for delivery in Egersund, destined for fishmeal and oil production. Fishers reported high concentrations west of Estonia, where they filled their holds in just a few days.

Author/Source:  Kenneth Garvik/Norges Sildesalgslag

editorial@seafood.media
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