In response to a significant reduction in the shrimp quota this summer, the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association has presented two key demands to the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries. Following a series of talks between the association and the ministry, a delegation from the fishermen’s association met with Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bjørnar Skjæran and State Secretary Vidar Ulriksen on Wednesday to present their proposals for short-term measures to save the industry. Although no decisions were made, the delegation left the meeting feeling optimistic as both Skjæran and Ulriksen expressed understanding for the challenging situation faced by the shrimp fleet. The reduction in the shrimp quota is due to a new calculation model that estimates a decrease in two-year-old female shrimp in the stock and a smaller overall population. The International Council for Marine Research predicts low quota levels for shrimp fishing in the future. The fishermen’s association is seeking a return to normal quota levels and has requested crisis solutions, including extending the subsidy scheme in next year’s state budget and implementing a regulatory scheme that allows one boat to fish two boats’ quota while the other is in storage. While this measure may result in temporary unemployment for crews, the association hopes it can be introduced quickly. The government is currently considering these proposals, and a decision is expected during the preparation of the national budget for 2024.
3. aug. 2023 05:38 – Updated Aug 3 2023 07:33
After the shrimp quota was almost halved this summer, the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association presented two concrete demands to the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries on Wednesday.
After the large reduction in the shrimp quota was introduced, the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association and the Ministry of Fisheries have had several talks. On Wednesday, both Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bjørnar Skjæran and State Secretary Vidar Ulriksen met the delegation from the fishermen’s association who presented their proposals for short-term measures to save the industry.
Leader of the team, Kåre Heggebø, tells NPK that nothing was decided, but that the team left the meeting optimistic.
– Both Skjæran and Ulriksen expressed a great deal of understanding for the situation that the shrimp fleet has now found itself in, and it felt like we got our message across. As before, they could not promise anything, but this time we still left the meeting with a positive feeling, says Heggebø.
New calculation
It was this summer that the EU and Norway decided that the quota for prawns in the North Sea and Skagerrak should be 6,076 tonnes. The Norwegian part of the quota is 3,805 tonnes for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. This is a decrease of around 40 per cent from last year.
The reason for the reduction is a new calculation model that estimates fewer two-year-old female shrimp in the stock. The researchers also believe that the general shrimp population has become much smaller in recent years. The International Council for Marine Research therefore expects low quota levels for shrimp fishing in the coming years as well.
The concrete krav
Kåre Heggebø says that the fishing team is not satisfied until the quotas are back at normal levels, and that the measures the team asked for on Wednesday are only crisis solutions. The one short-term requirement is that the government continues the subsidy scheme as a result of high fuel prices in next year’s state budget as well.
– In addition, we asked for a regulatory scheme that allows one boat to fish two boats’ quota for a period, while the other boat is in storage. In practice, a boat will then be able to save half of the expenses for crew and fuel, says Kåre Heggebø.
He believes the measure is not a delighted solution at all, as it could lead to crews being out of work for periods of time.
– We have prioritized this measure because it has been studied and used in other contexts, and we therefore hope that it can be introduced fairly quickly. I believe that we may be talking about weeks, and not months, says Heggebø.
Will not determine
Last week, State Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries, Vidar Ulriksen (Ap), told NPK that the ministry cannot overlook the fact that the shrimp population is in a worse condition than previously thought. Nor could he promise measures beyond the fuel compensation already granted for this year.
To NPK, Ulriksen will not state on Wednesday that it is now likely that the Fiskarlaget will get approval for the two emergency measures. He nevertheless says that they had a constructive meeting on several topics, and that they are considering the proposals that came to the table.
– We will now consider measures that can help remedy the situation, including the specific proposal for a quota cooperation arrangement, i.e. joint fishing. It is too early to say anything about the details of the proposal, says Ulriksen.
– The question of a possible continuation of the extraordinary subsidy to the coastal shrimp fleet in 2023 will be assessed in connection with the preparation of the national budget for 2024, he continues.
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