The development of a new gillnet fishery for anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) in Norwegian waters

In autumn 1992 a direct gillnet fishery for anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) started on the continental shelf off the northwestern coast of Norway. The anglerfish had previously only been taken as bycatch in trawls and gillnets. The annual catches increased from 880 tons in 1991 to 4,447 tons in 1993, and then decreased to 2,621 tons in 1994. Studies on the fishery started in november 1992. Monthly sampling was conducted from commercial catches in 1993 and 1994 , for length and weight analysis. Age was determined by otolith- and first dorsal fin ray readings. Estimates of catch per unit effort were based on information from 5 commercial vessels. In 1994, the sex ratios and gonad development were analysed. In 1993 the average size ofthe anglerfish was 12.1 kg (n=706) decreasing to 11.2 kg (n=615) in 1994, all catches from gillnets of 360 mm stretched mesh size. In 1994 the average size of the fish from 300 mm mesh size was 7.8 kg (n=433). The difference in average length and weight between the two mesh sizes, corresponds to approximately 1 year of growth. Adult females are larger than males. 360 mm gillnets caught more females than the 300 mm gillnets, respectively 81 % and 62 %. In 1992, CPUE was 1-2 kg with maximum 3-4 kg per day per net. The catch rates started decreasing during summer 1993 and was estimated to 0.3 kg per net per day in autumn 1994

Preliminary results from a resource study of edible crab (Cancer pagurus) in Norway 2001- 2003

The Norwegian fishery for Cancer pagurus peaked in the 1940-50’s with catches of 7000 to 9000 tonnes annually. After 1955 the fishery declined, the profit remained low and by the early 90’s the industry was heavily subsidized. A plan for the industry took action when subsidizes were cut and the landings dropped. This, together with an increasing demand, has brought profitability into the trade again. The crab industry now wants to increase the catches by increasing the effort in traditionally area and by extending the catch area. The lack of information about abundance and biological stock parameters became apparent during the discussion related to an increase of the present catch levels. A resource program was therefore started in 2001. Data used in this study was collected by about 20 commercial fishermen during the 2001 and 2002 fishing season. The program is still ongoing. Each fisherman recorded from ten weeks of catches during each crab-season. Data consisted of catches from 4 special pots, and included catch per pot, carapace width, sex and quality. The data are used for spatial and temporal comparison of abundance and several biological stock parameters. Considerable differences in catch composition and quantity among the areas were found. The data will be compared with more traditionally surveys and with data from the Norwegian catch reporting system