Final decision made on Capelin 2026

Publisert den 18.12.2025 av Per Arne Fagervoll Meek

Barents Sea capelin update

Norwegian authorities have now formally confirmed what the scientific advice from IMR, PINRO and the Joint Russian-Norwegian Working Group on Arctic Fisheries (JRN-AFWG) already indicated: there will be no Barents Sea capelin fishery in 2026.

What has now been formally confirmed

In connection with the finalisation of Barents Sea whitefish quotas for 2026, Norwegian authorities have confirmed that the capelin fishery will not be opened next year.

This confirmation aligns with the joint scientific assessment published earlier by IMR and PINRO under the JRN-AFWG framework, which concluded that the capelin stock cannot sustain a commercial fishery in 2026 under the agreed management plan.

Why a quota figure can exist without a fishery

Recent reporting has referenced a shared capelin quota of 69,177 tonnes for 2026, corresponding to a small increase compared with 2025, and a Norwegian share of 47,807 tonnes.

This has led some market participants to ask whether the capelin fishery might nevertheless be opened.

Important clarification

The referenced quota figure represents a theoretical or framework quota used for intergovernmental sharing and contingency planning. It does not constitute a decision to open the fishery. For Barents Sea capelin, quota calculations and fishery openings are two separate decisions.

The scientific basis remains unchanged

The IMR-PINRO assessment for 2026 is built on the autumn ecosystem survey in the Barents Sea and forward projections toward the 2026 spawning season, incorporating natural mortality and predation.

In practical terms, the conclusion is that only a zero-catch option is compatible with the agreed precautionary rules and the escapement target under the management plan.

Bottom line: A quota figure may appear in reporting and quota tables, but the operational decision is clear: there will be no commercial Barents Sea capelin fishery in 2026.

Market implications

No capelin supply in 2026 means continued tight availability for capelin-based products, including roe. This reinforces pressure on alternative raw material sources and limits substitution opportunities in the coming year.