Redfish
Sebastes spp.
About
There are three species of redfish in Norwegian waters. Those that are sold commercially are usually common redfish (Sebastes norvegicus) and rosefish (Sebastes mentella), whereas Norway redfish (Sebastes viviparus) is too small (max 32 cm) to be sold commercially.
The fishery
Redfish is found along the edge of the continental slope at depths of 100 to 500 meters, although individual specimens have been caught at depths of up to 900 meters. In the Norwegian Sea, redfish are pelagic fish. The three species have different dispersals, which overlap each other. Common redfish migrate in the summer. Fully matured common redfish have their feeding grounds in the Barents Sea, where they mate from August to October. In the winter, they begin to migrate south to their spawning grounds off the Vesterålen archipelago. The largest catches of redfish are made by nets and trawlers in the north of Norway. Secondary catches of redfish are made all year in most of the Norwegian economic zone and in the zone around Svalbard. Strict regulations are necessary in order to replenish vulnerable stocks.
Information
- Availability
- Size
- Fishing methods
- Use
