Pelagic fish indicators rise in annual survey

Indicators for mackerel, herring and blue whiting all increased in a joint annual survey, KVF reported on Friday.

The indicator for the mackerel stock in the northern seas was 10 percent higher than in July last year, when it reached a record low. Mackerel was found mainly in the eastern Norwegian Sea, while large numbers of young mackerel were also recorded in the North Sea.

The indicator for North Sea herring was 28 percent higher than last year. The 2021 and 2022 year classes were strong, with four and five year old herring accounting for 52 percent of the stock.

Blue whiting was found across almost the entire survey area. Its indicator was 14 percent higher than last year, with particularly large numbers of one year old fish, which made up 41 percent of the stock.

The surveys are carried out by the Faroe Islands, Denmark, Iceland and Norway. Stock assessments, fishing advice and the final report are due to be published on September 30.

Other surveys found that sea surface temperatures were above average everywhere except on the Norwegian continental shelf, where they were below average. Zooplankton was most abundant in the area between the Faroe Islands and Jan Mayen, while overall levels were in line with the average of recent years.