BarentsNews.com

Union of Fish Industrialists of the North, a Murmansk-based association of fishing companies, reported unprecedentedly low catches over the last month. Total catch amount of its member enterprises fell to 19 000 tonnes in August, which is 4 000 tonnes less than expected.

Explaining the poor results, fishermen allude to the hampering government-made regulations, notably the ill-famed decree No. 1702 dealing with cod and haddock fishing in the Barents sea. This document hit really hard at Russian northwest fish-catchers.

Overall, the total catch landed up by the companies forming the Union, since the start of the year, is 194 000 tonnes, which accounts for half of the total Murmansk region’s catch volume.

As for applying for the 2003 industrial quotas, 51 applications have been submitted to the Union’s Board to date. According to the papers presented, 25 enterprises are planning to fish pelagic species next year, and 61 intend to catch bottom fish. With the figures declared, the total estimated catch for 2003 is about 293 000 tonnes.

However, the Union’s administration is rather doubtful of achieving such results. As known from previous experience, the State Fisheries Committee rarely satisfies the fishermen’s needs. This time, the situation is likely to be the same and the actual quota shares will probably be considerably lower than planned.