October 8, 2007

Culture-based aquaculture to give better advantage for Norway's seafood: study 

Capture-based aquaculture will give a competitive advantage to Norway's seafood products but uncertainty about profitability means that few fishermen go in for live fish, according to a study by Fiskeriforskning or the Royal Norwegian Ministry and Coastal Affairs.

Despite increasing demand for fresh fish, large seasonal fluctuations in the fisheries mean there are long periods with insufficient supply of fresh fish products, the study said.

Capture-based aquaculture is being seen as an important solution in achieving continual supply. Despite this, figures for 2006 show a reduction in the quantity of live cod taken ashore.

Of an annual cod quota of around 212,000 tonnes, only 800 tonnes was delivered live, even though the average price was 25 percent higher than with traditional methods.

Uncertainty about profitability means that fishermen are choosing to retain traditional catching methods, the study shows. 

Vessels utilising purse seine were selected for the study as they are relatively well adapted technically to handle live fish.