Norway and Russia Have Reached a Fisheries Agreement for 2026 After much uncertainty regarding this year's fisheries negotiations, Norway and Russia reached a fisheries agreement for 2026 on Thursday. The parties have agreed on a continued decline in the quota for the important cod in the Barents Sea, among other things.
Norway and Russia Have Agreed on Date for Fisheries Negotiations After much uncertainty, this year's fisheries negotiations between Norway and Russia will now be held digitally at the start of December.
Sinking of Two Frigates by Norwegian Navy Sparks Strong Reactions In September, the Norwegian Armed Forces sank two old frigates off the coast of Northern Norway in connection with a NATO exercise. Fishers and nature conservationists have reacted strongly to the incident.
A Breakdown That Could Lead to an Ecological Disaster Comment: If anyone still wonders whether Norway is deeply involved in Russia's war against Ukraine, they should take a look at the threats against the Norwegian-Russian fisheries agreement. Add a US threat to the Norwegian Oil Fund, and a perfect storm is brewing around two of our most important resources.
Researchers Are Using Catfish to Combat Sea Urchins In the north of Norway, researchers are now transferring catfish in an attempt to combat the sea urchin and its overgrazing of the kelp forests along the Norwegian coast. Overfishing of the sea urchins' natural predators, such as the catfish, has led to the sea urchins consuming almost 5000 km2 of kelp forests since the 1970s.
Blood Is Dripping From the Fisheries, but They Refuse to Give Up Comment: First, a spoiler: If you're not worried enough already, you will be after this. But read the entire comment as it ends on a hopeful note. But first, some bloody seriousness.
Increased Share of Women and Young Fishers in Norway Despite the number of registered fishers decreasing, there is an increased interest in the fishing profession among women in Norway, writes the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.
Considerable Fishery Activity: Steady Increase of Skrei The stable and ice-cold weather in Northern Norway last week allowed for greater fishery activity than in previous weeks, according to the Norwegian Fishermen's Sales Organization. The skrei (Northeast Arctic cod) has now reached Vesterålen.
Tough Times Ahead for Fishers and the Fisheries Industry as Quotas on Important Stocks are Set to Decrease Next year, the cod quotas will be significantly reduced, and a major reduction is also expected in the red king crab quota. The Norwegian Fishermen's Association is worried for both the cod stock and the fishers, who are facing more challenging years.
A Forgotten Arctic Delicacy on Its Way to the Asian Market The Greenland Halibut fishery has been concluded for now. Despite the reddish-brown flounder fish going under the radar for many, the intensive fishery is of great value for fishers and fish receptions in the north.
Norwegian Ocean-Going Fishing Vessel Fleet Annoyed by New Russian Military Exercise in the Barents Sea “We find it worrying that Russia once again choses to conduct a military exercise in the Norwegian economic zone on short notice and without regards taken for ongoing fishing activities”, says Sturla Roald of Fiskebåt.
Norwegian Fishers Experience Discrimination in Icelandic Capelin Fisheries Norwegian purse seine vessels must fish capelin in Icelandic waters using purse nets, whereas Iceland and other nationalities with whom they share the quota are allowed to trawl for capelin. Norwegian fishers also experience limitations to the areas in which they are allowed to fish and in the number of vessels allowed to fish at one and the same time.
Greenland’s Fish Export Dropped Nearly Half a Billion in 2021 The export value of fish products was DKK 4.4 billion in 2021.
Norwegian Seafood Industry Fears A New Season Without Enough Workers, Wants Open-Border Guarantee from Government Infection is on the rise in Norway and Europe. Norwegian health authorities believe the Omicron variety will dominate infections after Christmas and have initiated new restrictions. Now, the seafood industry fears that it has to face a new season without enough season workers.
Cod Quotas Shake the Svalbard Treaty Brexit and the allocation of cod quotas re-opened old wounds. Now, Norwegian authorities risk conflict with other states about the extent of the Svalbard Treaty, professors argue.
Must Interrupt Fishing due to Russian Military Exercises Norwegian fishing vessels have to interrupt fishing in the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea due to Russian military exercises in the High North. Norwegian fishermen notify their organization increasingly often.
Will Allow the Fish Farming Industry to Use New Areas along the Coast The Norwegian Fisheries Minister wants to award new licenses for fish farming if certain environmental requirements are met. Director at Seafood Norway Jon Arne Grøttum describes the scheme as a push for developing new technology.
The High North Tour 2021: In Vardø, the East meets West in Full View of All Vardø: In Vardø, the town that lies further east than St. Petersburg, American radar installations meet the Russian border. Norway’s only Green Party mayor, Ørjan Jensen, wants more reward for that.
Norway Objects to the EU’s Granting Cod Quotas in the Svalbard Zone “Norway holds the exclusive right to regulate fisheries in the fisheries protection zone”, says Norwegian Fisheries Minister Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen. The EU has granted itself a quota of 28,431 tons of cod in the fish protection zone around Svalbard. That is some 10,000 tons more than what Norway has granted the EU.
Norwegian Fisheries Minister: “We Must Increase Land-Based Profitability” Waves run high in the Norwegian fish industry. Debate surrounds quota regulations and travel restrictions for incoming foreign workers, and coastal municipalities warrant lasting value creation. “We have to do a better job here”, says Fisheries Minister Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen (Conservatives).
Norwegian Coastal Municipalities Want Trawlers to Land More Fresh Cod on Land Six North Norwegian coastal municipalities propose changes to the regulations for cod trawlers in order to secure more fish processing in Norway and more year-round jobs.
Fear is Like a Root Filling Without Anesthesia Commentary: Fishermen and fish buyers all over the world fight against fear of closed processing facilities. At the same time, they fight a market in lockdown. In Alaska, the Corona virus alredy has a solid upper hand on the fish industry.
Norwegian Winter Fisheries: Seasonal Workers May Not Cross the Border for the Next Two Weeks “I understand the seafood industry’s frustration. However, if we do not take measures against the infection situation, that could also have significant consequences for the companies”, says Fisheries and Seafood Minister Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen when asked about the new entry regulations for seasonal workers.
Researching Fish Landing Facilities in Svalbard: “Raises A Series of Questions on Different Levels” A group of researchers are researching the opportunities and challenges related to fish-landing facilities in Svalbard. Foreign policy also matters in this context.
Russian Company Planning Fish Landing Facility in Barentsburg A Russian-owned company wants to start a fish and crab landing facility in the Russian settlement Barentsburg on Svalbard. No such thing exists in Svalbard today.
Secretary General about Fishermen’s Association Revolt: Serious for the Organization “There is no intention about treating input from either NFA North or others in a way that is not fully and completely serious”, Secretary General Otto Gregussen of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association says to High North News following the decision of NFA North to leave the organization in protest.
Northern Fishermen in Norway Want to Go It Alone The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association , Division North (NFA North) has decided to exit from the main organization. “We need a change of attitude within the organization in relation to thinking about the small, traditional coastal fishing fleet”, says Chairman of NFA North Roger Hansen to High North News.
Heated debate about fisheries politics in Norway There has recently been a heated debate about fisheries politics in Norway. Despite strong reactions from both coastal Norway and opposition parties, a whitepaper about the fisheries’ quota system was adopted by parliament this week. That happened one week after the Office of the Auditor General pointed out that many of the changes within the quota system in the 2004-2018 period have led to negative consequences for coastal communities.
Stockfish Production Company Worries About Corona Effect A large share of the stockfish produced this time of year by Glea AS at Røst islands in Lofoten, Norway, will usually be sold to Italy in the autumn. At present, there is uncertainty as to when exports to Italy will resume again, says Glea Manager Rune Stokvold. He fears that they will be affected by future consequences of the corona crisis.
North Sea Cod is to Lose its Sustainability Certification: Devestating and Disappointing, but no Surprise North Sea cod is to lose its sustainability certification due to concerns about stock levels,BBC reports.
Meets Solberg On Stage When Prime Minister Erna Solberg Tuesday enters the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin, it is about far more than just the relationship between Norway and Russia. From a western perspective, it has as much to do with the relationship to China.
Nordland: New Export Record, Population Figures Troublesome Figures from Indeks Nordland show that export from Nordland County increased by NOK 28.8 million from 2017 to 2018. Population figures are not encouraging, however, with an increase of a meagre 144 new inhabitants in 2018.
Norwegian Arctic Coastal Waters Among Most Dangerous Shipping safety experts have identified the waters of Arctic coastal Northern Norway and Svalbard as some of the region’s most dangerous environments for maritime activity. As shipping traffic across the polar north continues to increase so does the likelihood for accidents and emergencies.
Norway Wants to Modernize Russia’s Fishing Vessel Fleet State Secretary Daniel Bjarmann-Simonsen wants Norwegian shipyards involved in renewing the Russian fishing vessel fleet. Large sums are to be invested.
