Distribution of Norwegian spring-spawning herring and mackerel in the Norwegian Sea in late summer, 1991

Abstract

A pairtrawl survey was carried out in the Norwegian Sea during July - August 1991 to map the distribution of pelagic fish. Herring were caught throughout most of the surveyed area, with the largest concentrations observed within 200 nautical miles off Vesterålen/Troms. It therefore seems that the Norwegian spring-spawning herring has resumed its oceanic feeding migration. Mackerel were observed in most parts of the surveyed area as far north as 73° N, and seemed to belong to the Western stock. It was observed a tendency for older and bigger mackerel of the same yearclasses to migrate further north than younger and smaller individuals. A similar tendency was observed for horsemackerel.