Cod catch on board the vessel of the Norwegian Institute of Maritime Research.
Photo: Gunnar Sætra
The annual research mission in the Lofoten area in Northern Norway with the vessel “Johan Hjort” has surprised the marine researchers.
- We have never before seen such amount of cod, says expedition leader with the Marine Research Institute Erik Berg.
The research mission took place from March 16 to April 3. Over the last 6-7 years there have been little spawning cod in Vestfjorden, while this year, the marine researchers have seen large amounts of cod all the way to the inner part of Lofoten.
Lofoten is the most important spawning ground for North-East Arctic cod from the Barents Sea.
In the Barents Sea, Russian, Norwegian and Icelandic trawlers report on great catches. Fishupdate.com is quoting a captain on a Icelandic trawler reporting on amazing catches.
- We only had to dip the trawl in the water for 20 minutes to secure enough fish for between five and six hours processing on board his vessel.
Russian trawler on its way to the Barents Sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Also Murmansk trawlers report on increase in cod catches. In the northern waters, including the Barents Sea, have taken 83 thousand tons of cod so far this year, up 18 thousand tons compared with the same period last year, reports MBNews.
