Haddock

Young haddock in the Barents Sea are relatively territorial, whereas larger fish undertake long migrations. For example, they migrate down along the coast of Northern Norway and the banks off the coast of Troms County (Tromsøflaket) to spawn. Haddock is one of the most important edible fish in Norway. Haddock fishing primarily occurs in coastal waters, but in the north, haddock is also caught on the banks in the eastern parts of the Norwegian economic zone. Haddock is fished all year, but in the summer, there is a special haddock fishery off the coast of eastern Finnmark using floating long lines. Haddock is also fished all year in the North Sea, where it is caught along with other species of food fish. Along the coasts of Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag, haddock is caught using long lines and nets in the summer. The stock of haddock north of 62° N is healthy and is producing year classes that will provide a basis for a good haddock fishery in the coming years. The haddock stock in the North Sea has also been healthy, but several weak year classes in recent years have resulted in more restrictive quotas.