news has analyzed the consultation responses of three of the largest fisheries organisations: Fiskebåt, Nord Fiskarlaget and Kystfiskarlaget as well as the Sami Parliament. These are changes to the quota policy that may be included in the quota notification, which may affect the distribution of quotas between larger coastal fishing boats and smaller coastal vessels: Return of traded “structural quotas”: After all vessels received fixed vessel quotas, it was gradually opened up for the quotas to be sold to some of the vessels – against them being taken out of fishing. This has reduced the number of vessels, and created the opportunity to invest in larger vessels, but also accumulated many quotas in fewer hands, and on larger boats. These negotiable quotas are called structural quotas and the intention was that the quotas should be returned and redistributed to the group lengths from which they were originally purchased, after 20 and 25 years. The value of these quotas is enormous; according to Fiskeribladet, probably around NOK 50 billion, and lays much of the foundation for growth in the largest fleet group. Fiskebåt, which organizes the larger fishing vessels, therefore wants these quotas to be distributed primarily between fishing vessels in the fleet group that bought the quotas. In particular, they point out that much of the structured quotas are taken from medium-sized vessels, between 15 and 21 metres, of which there are few left today. Fiskebåt therefore believes that a redistribution to the original lengths will create an imbalance among fishing vessels. In the organizations that organize the smaller vessels, such as Fiskarlag Nord and Kystfiskarlaget, it is expected that these quotas will create an extensive redistribution, in favor of sharks and smaller coastal vessels under 15 metres. In addition, the discussion is about whether the quotas should only be redistributed on original vessel quotas, or whether the remaining structural quotas should also get their share. The government is in a dilemma: The smaller vessels have been promised their expected share of the returned quotas, at the same time the vessel quotas on the smaller sharks are about to plummet, following cuts in the cod quotas. At the same time, many larger vessels have invested on the basis that the structural quotas should not return to original groups. Some fear bankruptcies among the larger shipping companies, which have large loans of several billion kroner with guarantees in these quotas. The government thus risks legal proceedings, also against banks. The fishermen’s association has tried to establish a compromise, but it is expected that the government will settle on an alternative in favor of the smaller vessels. The Hurdal platform promises: “That the conditions for the recurrence of structural quotas be clarified.” Redistribution of quota bonus schemes Another way the government can ensure the smaller fishing fleet more fish is to discontinue, or change, quota bonus schemes such as the fresh fish scheme and the live storage bonus. These are schemes that ensure extra cod quotas of several thousand tonnes for those who fish cod after the winter seasons, and which ensure live catches for the agricultural industry. These are arrangements that the largest fishing fleet has made the most of. The arrangement is also very important for the fresh fish industry, but will perhaps be replaced by cod farming in the years to come. Tightening of landing requirements Some larger coastal vessels, especially in Western Norway, have started delivering fresh catches directly abroad. Some larger coastal vessels also deliver frozen fish. There may therefore be strictures for the large coastal vessels for the possibility of sending fish directly out of the country without land facilities. If the quotas are reduced, for vessels that deliver directly at auction abroad, it will exclusively affect larger coastal vessels and may increase the quota basis for the smaller vessels. The Hurdal platform states: “Consider schemes that reward deliveries of fresh fish to local land plants.” Tightening of sea sharing Hurdalsplattform has already announced that the smallest fishing vessels, with the shortest range, will be given greater rights to coastal fishing. This could mean that the smaller fishing vessels get more exclusive rights closer to shore than today. For the larger coastal vessels, this will mean greater costs with increased distances and less access to the fish while it is close during spawning. In the Hurdalsplattformen it is stated: “That measures that can ensure the coastal fleet’s priority for fishing grounds in coastal areas are investigated.” Change in vessel lengths and division Many fishermen once started with smaller coastal vessels and took the quota base, which belonged to these vessels, with them, while they acquired larger vessels. Therefore, the quota size of larger vessels does not always correlate with the actual length. In addition, structured quotas from smaller coastal vessels have also been bought up and are today included in many quota packages for larger coastal vessels. Historically, coastal fishing vessels have been divided into four vessel groups, in a model called the Finnmark model: 0-10.9 metres, 11-14.9 metres, 15-20.9 meters and over 21 metres. The previous quota notification opened the way for establishing a fifth group for vessels over 27 metres, after several coastal vessels along the coast are now over 50 metres. Since the Norwegian quotas are distributed percentage-wise between these groups, and many of the vessels have quotas from other groups, the so-called “Finnmarks model” no longer holds together very well. The larger boats want to keep their quota base, even if they fish on quotas that they have taken from smaller vessels. While the smaller vessels believe this upsets the balance between the groups, and that the distribution should take place according to actual length. Changes in vessel lengths will therefore also affect quota distribution between smaller and larger coastal vessels. The government is in a pinch as there are expectations among the smaller fishing boats that the quota distribution between the groups takes place according to actual length. At the same time, this can lead to major changes in the resource base for the larger fishing boats, and lead to compensation claims from the state and or bankruptcies. Source: Quota notification 2019, hearings on the new Quota notification, and consultation responses from Fiskebåt, Kystfiskarlaget and Nord Fiskarlaget.
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New fisheries policy will prioritize small coastal vessels – news Troms and Finnmark
