In fisheries negotiations this week, Norway has won approval for an increased quota for mackerel sturgeon in 2023. Norway’s total quota in 2023 will then be 368 tonnes, corresponding to an increase of around 23 per cent.

In addition, Norway may transfer 15 tonnes of unfished quota from 2022 to 2023, which means that Norwegian fishermen can fish up to 383 tonnes of mackerel sturgeon in 2023.

– Mackerel sturgeon are seriously back in Norwegian waters, and as a coastal state to this stock that has now taken over our nutrient-rich sea areas, we are continuously working to increase the Norwegian quota. I am therefore very pleased that we have received approval for more quota in 2023, says Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bjørnar Skjæran.

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) has adopted a new management procedure for the management of mackerel sturgeon throughout the Atlantic Ocean. The stock calculation for the next three years has resulted in an increase in the total quota. In addition, Norway has had its share increased, which further contributes to the increase in the Norwegian quota.

The total quota for mackerel sturgeon has increased from 36,000 tonnes in 2022 to 40,570 tonnes in 2023. Norway’s share of the total quota is currently 0.91 per cent.

Pilot project on live storage of mackerel sturgeon

Norway has received approval for its proposal to carry out a pilot project for live storage of mackerel sturgeon for three years from 2023, within a limited quantity. The pilot project will form the basis for future regulations if the project is successful. The purpose of live storage of mackerel sturgeon is to have the opportunity to distribute raw material to the market over time, and to improve and preserve the good quality of the mackerel sturgeon.

– Over the past year, we have worked to put in place regulations for the live storage of mackerel sturgeon, and we have now received approval from ICCAT to carry out a pilot project for the concept. Over several years, we have received input from the industry that live storage of mackerel sturgeon can be a way to achieve greater value creation and to facilitate a better market situation. We are very satisfied that we have now taken a step forward in creating the conditions for greater value creation and activity of our fishing resources, says Skjæran.

The pilot project must follow the ICCAT regulations, and it will also be possible to export mackerel sturgeon that is part of the project.