Mixed reactions to the new cod smelt figures

ill photo fishbooking.com

Research as just been completed on the number of new cod and herring smelt that are entering the North Sea. The good news is the number of new cod in the system has increased over the previous two years.

The positive study has given new hope to the future of the cod in the North Sea. Not sinse the 90’s have numbers been this good. Most commercial fishermen are pleased to here this news but local sport fishermen are concerned that the Russian Norwegian agreement is threatening the future of the North Sea cod.

The problem is that this year newly spawn fish will take up to seven years to reach maturity. The local fishing clubs are concerned that before these fish reach a respectable size the Northern fleet will destroy the fishery. This is a subject all to common in the North Sea. In fact the Norwegian minister for fisheries has been asked druring several interveiws if he will address this issue. In typical political style he side steps any question and this continues to leave local fishermen in the dark.

We will follow this story if further developments arise in the future