Faroese fishermen resume mackerel fishing amid low catch expectations in Norwegian waters

Jóhan Páll Joensen, manager at Pelagos, expressed his satisfaction that mackerel fishing has resumed, although the current catch has not met expectations. The Faroese vessels are also set to fish for mackerel in Norwegian waters soon.

Given the relatively low catch this year, it is important for Pelagos to secure a share of the catch from the Faroese boats operating in Norway.

The agreement with Norway stipulates that all mackerel caught by Faroese vessels in Norwegian waters must be sold through or with the approval of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Sales Organization, which manages the auction process in Norway.

Faroese fishermen are permitted to catch 35,191 tons, which accounts for 40 percent of this year’s mackerel quota. Norwegian boats began their fishing activities three weeks earlier than last year, and their catches have been plentiful.

The size of the mackerel caught ranges from 420 to 470 grams, and the vessels receive 9.92 Danish kroner per kilogram for fresh mackerel.