More catch – less value

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In 2017, Norwegian vessels delivered 2.4 million tonnes of fish, crustaceans and molluscs to a first hand value of NOK 18.1 billion. Measured by the value of catch, cod fishing was the most important of fisheries, while the catch of herring was most important measured by catch quantity.

Preliminary figures for fisheries 2017 show that 67 per cent of the catch was used for consumption, while 33 per cent was used for the production of meal, oil, animal feed etc.

Preliminary figures

The statistics are based on data from the Directorate of Fisheries as per 3 January 2018. A small amount of the landed fish has not yet been sold.

Figure 1. Quantity and value of catch from Norwegian vessels

1000 tonnes NOK million
2005 2392 11658
2006 2256 11681
2007 2394 12051
2008 2437 12158
2009 2537 11311
2010 2679 13348
2011 2299 16034
2012 2140 14202
2013 2090 12673
2014 2313 14427
2015 2335 16928
2016 2066 18651
2017* 2402 18065

Cod fishing most important

In 2017, the cod catch came to 412 400 tonnes, with a value of NOK 6.7 billion. This accounted for 17 per cent of the total catch quantity and 37 per cent of the total catch value. Measured by the value of landed catch, cod fishing was as usual the most important of fisheries.

Figure 2. Value of catch from Norwegian vessels, by fish species. 2017. Preliminary figures

Value of catch 2017
Herring13% 2289221
Deep water prawn 3% 558663
Cod 37% 6727313
Saithe 7% 1295118
Blue whiting 3% 575398
Mackerel 12% 2106673
Other Fish 25% 4512144

Big increase in herring catch

From 2016 to 2017, the catch of herring increased by 50 per cent, to 526 200 tonnes, and amounted to 22 per cent of the total catch quantity. The landed value dropped by 7 per cent in the same period, corresponding to 13 per cent of the total landed value in 2017. The herring fishing was the most important of fisheries in 2017, measured by catch quantity.

Figure 3. Catch from Norwegian vessels, by fish species. 2017. Preliminary figures

Catch 2017
Herring 22% 526167
Deep water prawn 1% 13337
Cod 17% 412441
Saithe 7% 177196
Blue whiting 17% 399210
Mackerel 9% 221588
Other Fish 27% 651674

Larger catches of blue whiting

The blue whiting catch came to 399 200 tonnes, with a value of NOK 575 million in 2017. Compared with 2016, this is 29 per cent more in terms of catch quantity and 31 per cent less for landed value. 

Foreign landings amounted to NOK 3.2 billion

In addition, foreign vessels delivered 333 800 tonnes of fish and crustaceans in Norway in 2017. The total value of the foreign landings was NOK 3.2 billion.

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