The matter in summary Lobster fishermen in Kragerø report a record high catch of lobster. The increased stock has meant that the price of lobster has fallen, and the sought-after delicacy is now being sold on offer. The fishermen use the same nets as they have for 20 years, and believe that it is the population of lobsters that has increased. Despite the increased catch, experts emphasize that the lobster population is still at a critically low level seen in a 100-year perspective. The good catch can be due to several factors, including higher sea temperatures and the effect of management measures that have been initiated in the last 15 years. Although the catch is good, experts believe that the take must be limited in order to rebuild the stock. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. In Kragerø, where parts of the fjord are protected, the fishermen report an “all time high”. This also applies to the rest of the country, according to Johanna Marcussen, who is a research fellow at the UIA/Marine Research Institute. – In the last three years, the catch has been significantly higher than in previous years, says Marcussen. Since the beginning of October, lobster has been fished. More lobsters in the ponds – There are more and more lobsters every year. Now it’s a luxury problem, says lobster fisherman Kjell Magne Nilsen. Fishermen throw lobsters into a pool. Philip Hofgaard With so many lobsters, the price also goes down. – We have to have a separate price to sell it, and it is still a lot of work to fish it. But we get a bit back by getting more, says Nilsen. First of all, he thinks it’s fun that there are so many lobsters in the ponds. – We can get tins with five, six lobsters every day. It was rare only three years ago. A lobster moves in a bucket. Philip Hofgaard Has lowered the price At the local fish reception, Tina Dalene has never seen as many lobsters as now. – Both we and the fishermen are very satisfied with the catch. Tina Dalene, general manager of Kragerø Seafood. Photo: Hans Philip Hofgaard / news She says that the large quantities mean that there will be problems with reception. – It will be full, and not just with us. This applies along the entire coast here. That is why the cardinal of the sea is now being sold on offer. Previously, Kragerø Sjømat charged NOK 700-800 per kilo during the lobster season. Now it sells for NOK 549. – We hope it will continue like this for another month, says Dalene. It was KV that mentioned the prices in Kragerø first. There has been a lot of lobster in the tank at Kragerø Sjømat in recent weeks. The catch has led to lower prices. Photo: Hans Philip Hofgaard / news People can’t afford it A poll conducted by news at various fish shops shows that Kragerø Sjømat is not alone in lowering the price. In Østfold, the price is now NOK 690 compared to NOK 750 at the same time last year at Fjordfisk’s seasonal shop and reception on Vesterøy in Hvaler. The decrease is due to the fact that the fishermen in the area have caught a lot of lobster, says managing director Kurt Allan Hansen at Fjordfisk. – The second reason is that, in general, people have a little less money than we are used to, says Hansen. Cheaper than last year Also in the middle of Oslo, the shop Fjellberg fish and game has a lower price. – Most of the reason is that there is more lobster available, says Patrik Vardund in the family-run shop. He says that prices can vary, but that a kilo of lobster costs NOK 860 at the end of October compared to NOK 980 last year. He believes their price is higher than that of the fishmonger in Kragerø, because the lobster has to go through several sales stages before it reaches the counter. Patrik Vardund in Fjellberg fish and game says they have a lower price for lobster now than at the same time last year. Photo: private Has not put down At the fish market in Bergen, the lobster from the fish shop Fjellskål was on offer for NOK 899 a kilo this autumn. It now costs NOK 1,599 compared to NOK 1,499 per kilo at the same time last year. Managing director Dan Even Fjellskål says the price is set according to the purchase price from the wholesaler. He says that he does not know why the price is much higher at his place than in Kragerø, since he does not know the conditions and the market there. – But I can only say that they sell it cheaper than we buy it for, says Fjellskål. – Critically low level But even though several people report good lobster fishing, lobster expert Johanna Marcussen emphasizes that the species is still at a critically low level. She believes that the withdrawal must be limited in order to rebuild the stock. – It is easy to get excited about increased catches in recent years. But the catch rates are still at a very low level seen in a 100-year perspective. We have some way to go to reach the management goal of reconstruction. Johanna Magnussen says the lobster population is still low, despite the increase in recent years. Photo: Vibeke Pettersen / HI That the catch is so good now can be due to several things, including higher sea temperatures, according to Marcussen. – It moves more. Then the lobster is more catchable. – But it can also be a result of the fact that the management measures, which have been initiated over the past 15 years, have begun to work. Everything from the conservation of spiny lobsters to conservation areas, says Marcussen. Published 04.11.2024, at 05.11
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Now the lobster is sold on offer in Kragerø in Telemark – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
