Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries

Latest from Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries

1. News article14 Oct 2026

   All registered fishing vessels under 8 metres must have VMS by 1 April 2027

   • From 1 April 2027, small fishing boats under 8 metres must also have VMS, a device that automatically sends the boat's position. Until now they have been exempt.
   • If you own a registered boat under 8 metres, you must get and install approved equipment by the deadline. If your boat already has VMS, you need do nothing.
   FisheriesLegislation
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2. Decision7 Oct 2026

   Escape openings become mandatory in all Norway lobster creels from 1 July 2027

   • The Directorate of Fisheries has decided that all creels (traps) for Norway lobster must have at least one escape opening. This applies to commercial and recreational fishers from 1 July 2027.
   • The opening must be at least 23 mm high and 100 mm wide. It must be low on the side panel, and no higher than the middle of the side.
   Animal welfareFisheriesLegislation
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3. Consultation paper6 Oct 2026

   Directorate of Fisheries puts 2027 king crab regulation proposal out for consultation, without quota figures

   • The Directorate of Fisheries wants feedback on the proposed rules for king crab fishing in 2027. The deadline is 16 November 2026.
   • The note looks back at the 2025 catch and at the catch and rules in 2026. It then proposes rules for 2027.
   FisheriesNature
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4. News article1 Oct 2026

   Camilla Brattland, professor at UiT, appointed new chair of the Fjord Fisheries Committee, pledging a comprehensive review of the body's mandate.

   • Camilla Brattland (45), a professor of Sami cultural studies at the University of Tromsø (UiT), has been elected the new chair of the Fjord Fisheries Committee. She previously served on the committee from 2021 to 2023.
   • She also sits on two other expert bodies: a national committee on sustainable land use (MAB) and a Research Council board focused on climate and environment.
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5. News article30 Sept 2026

   Joint inspection finds elevated compliance risk on fish slaughter vessels – follow-up actions initiated

   • Norway's food safety authority found that slaughter vessels are where rule-breaking is most likely to occur in fish farming, and is now following up with several companies – though names and numbers are not made public.
   • One key rule being enforced: fish that die in the pen must not end up in the food chain. Everyone in the chain – fish farmers, slaughter vessels, and receiving facilities – is responsible for this.
   Animal welfareAquacultureFisheries
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6. Report29 Sept 2026

   Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries' 2026 survey removed nearly 3,000 lost pots and nets from the seabed between Ålesund and Svalbard

   • This is the biggest and most expensive clean-up survey the Directorate of Fisheries ran in 2026. The vessel M/S «Vikingbank» worked non-stop from 5 August to 27 September, visiting 276 sites from Ålesund to Hopen near Svalbard.
   • The crew retrieved almost 3,000 pots and nets, plus more than 66,000 metres of rope, 33,000 metres of longline and large amounts of other lost fishing equipment.
   FisheriesNatureWaste and recycling
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7. News article29 Sept 2026

   Norway's 2026 lobster season opens 1 October – annual registration required

   • Norway's lobster fishing season starts 1 October 2026. If you fish from the Swedish border to Vestland, the season ends 30 November; elsewhere it runs until 31 December. Everyone must register every year – including those who have fished before. Make sure your registration is complete before setting traps.
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8. Project description18 Sept 2026

   Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries launches pilot for on-board catch weighing and tightens landing rules from 2027

   • Fishing vessels that qualify can weigh their catch on board instead of on land, and that weight data is used directly for the paperwork submitted at delivery.
   • To join, a vessel must apply and meet requirements for approved weighing equipment on board, digital reporting, and delivery to approved facilities. Approval can be withdrawn if conditions are breached.
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9. News article18 Sept 2026

   Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries removes four abandoned fish-farm cages from the Helgeland coast after at least 15 years

   • The Directorate of Fisheries' vessel Fjorgyn pulled four old fish-farm cages out of the sea off the Helgeland coast. The cages are thought to have been abandoned for at least 15 years and were poorly secured, posing a risk to the environment and boat traffic.
   • The cages have been handed to the company Helgeland Plast, which will pass them on to Oceanize, where the plastic will be melted down and turned into new products.
   AquacultureFisheriesWaste and recycling
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10. News article18 Sept 2026

    Norwegian lobster season opens 1 October – new measurement method, two new protected areas and clarified trap limit for commercial fishers

    • You can start setting out lobster traps from 08:00 on 1 October. The season ends on 30 November south of Stad and on 31 December north of Stad.
    • Commercial fishers registered in the national fishing register who sell their lobster may use up to 100 traps. This rule is now written explicitly into the regulations.
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