Pelagics

SUSTAINABILITY has hit the pelagic industry in Europe. Applications for MSC certification are now in for a number of fisheries, including North Sea herring and mackerel. In Morocco, mackerel and sardine fisheries have been certified by Friend of the Sea. Obviously the industry is keen to show the market that they are not over-exploiting resources.

The mackerel fishery in Norway is off to a slow start this year. Very few catches have been landed, and buyers are keen to get trading.

At the same time, cold stores are practically empty. Consequently, prices are very high at the moment. Reports state that fishermen have been paid as much as NOK9.12 ($1.55) – NOK9.28 ($1.60) per kg for small mackerel. By the first week of September, only about 8% of the total quota of over 120,000 tonnes had been landed.

Marketplace

Pelagics