Norway had, for years, been banned from fishing for bluefin tuna. However, in Autumn 2013, the country received approval from ICCAT that it can open to fishing for bluefin tuna in the Norwegian zone.
The new regulation means that:
- one purse seine vessel will be allowed to fish for bluefin tuna.
- the vessel will be allocated a quota of up to 30 tonnes of bluefin tuna.
- the vessel must be suitable, staffed and equipped to fish for bluefin tuna and
- able to document previous experience fishing for bluefin tuna or similar fishing.
- In addition, the vessel must also be able to document their ability to safeguard the quality of bluefin tuna until landing.
Vessels permitted to participate can fish during the period from 25 June to 31 October.
The vessel will have 100 per cent coverage by observers from the ICCAT Regional Observer Programme (ROP), and all costs must be paid before the observer assigned.
The cost of an observer for 2014 is not yet determined, but in 2013 there was a fixed amount of €7,500 + €4,500 and a day fee of € 260
Vessels are also required to have scientists from the Institute of Marine Research aboard for sampling catch.
The deadline for entries is Friday 21 February 2014.
