– It’s almost like a fairy tale, says lobster fisherman Roar Bekkevik ecstatically. On 1 October, the two-month long lobster fishery started in Norway, and so far many sought-after crustaceans have found their way into the fishing nets of the fishermen at Hvaler. Professional fisherman Roar Bekkevik has never experienced such a good start to lobster fishing as this year. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news Bekkevik has fished for lobster for 50 years, but never experienced fishing like this. This year’s catch is so far twice the average for professional fishermen in recent years. – It’s not just a few individuals who do well either, it’s good for everyone! Whether you live in Tønsberg, Tjøme or here at Hvaler, Bekkevik continues. Best at the Oslofjord “Alle” in this context is a truth with some modifications. It is more precisely along the Oslo Fjord and the Skagerrak coast that it’s so funny. Preliminary figures from the fishermen’s sales organization Fiskehav show that this year’s lobster catch is just above last year’s figures for the whole country. Last year, 2,249 kilograms were caught in the opening week, compared to 2,426 kilograms this year. So an increase of just under 200 kilos. Data from Fiskehav.no shows that it is along the Skagerak coast and the Oslofjord that most lobsters are hauled up at the start of the year’s lobster fishing. Photo: Fiskehav.no / Skjermdump But why are so many lobsters caught along the eastern sea areas this season? Very good catches are also reported in Sweden. Peter Ronelöv Olsson of Sweden’s Fiskares Producer Organization does not think it is because there are more lobsters this year. On the contrary, he believes the start of this year’s fishing may give an incorrect picture of the lobster population. May be due to warmer water – The water is unusually warm now. When it’s warm, the lobster moves more, it’s more on the move, says Ronelöv Olsson to news. Sweden’s Fishermen’s Producer Organization is the largest fishermen’s organization in our neighboring country to the east. A lobster on the move is more likely to end up in a waiting spawn. – They stand more still in colder water, and then they become more difficult to catch. Researcher Alf Ring Kleiven at the Institute of Marine Research has previously stated that he fears for the lobster population along the Norwegian coast. – The situation is worse than we had assumed. If we don’t take care now, things will go wrong, he told news last year. When news contacted the Institute of Marine Research in connection with this matter, they said that it is too early to comment on this year’s season. But the warm water theory is a likely explanation for this year’s catch. High demand In the environment, there is disagreement about the state of the lobster population. Two weeks ago, professional fisherman Bekkevik told news that the fishermen see positive trends. – The lobster that came in last year was 23 tonnes in total on the coast. That is most of what has come into the last ten years. The curve goes up slowly. In any case, the receptions are happy about the lobster fishing so far. The minimum price for lobster, set by VNF, Surofi and the Raw Fish Association, varies from NOK 180 to NOK 295 per kilo, depending on size. There is a great demand for lobster, and good money to be made from a large catch. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news In reality, fresh lobster is sold much more expensively. An overview from Finansavisen shows that the price per kilo at outlets around the country is between NOK 690 and 1,200. The demand is great. – We have an order today for 750 lobsters for one, single customer. It sells out quickly, says Jørn Holthe, reception worker at Fjordfisk. He confirms that the reception has received unusually large quantities of lobster after the first week of fishing. – It is absolutely superb. There are lots of lobsters, many fishermen are out and a lot of catch is coming in. Everyone says the same thing, it has never been so good before, says Holthe.
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Adventurous start to lobster fishing – may be due to warmer water – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
