The stock of vendace as a whole is smaller and above all the amount of juvenile fish has decreased by 44 percent compared to an average year seen over a longer period of time.

However, the vendace population can vary from year to year for natural reasons.

Juvenile fish production is mainly linked to the environment but is also affected by predation from seals and how great the fishing pressure is.



- The stock analysis shows that the harbor seal's consumption of vendace has increased significantly, which means that fishing needs to be limited, states Martin Karlsson.



- In view of the fact that fishing accounts for a relatively small impact within the total distribution of the vendace stock and while waiting for a developed analysis basis, we make the assessment that we can allow limited fishing this autumn.

If we are to be able to allow trawling next year, however, it is required that a new strong year class vendace enters the fishery.

The fishermen are included in the evaluation

To find out more about the vendace stock and future fishing opportunities, HaV has decided to finance a major evaluation of analytical methods on the structure of the vendace stock, which will be carried out during the autumn.



- The evaluation is done in collaboration with international researchers.

Commercial fishing will also participate in the work.

In this way, we can hopefully achieve sustainable solutions that take into account both fishermen and vendace stocks from an ecosystem perspective, says Mats Svensson, head of HaV's department for marine management.

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This applies to capelin fishing in the Gulf of Bothnia Photo: SVT