Contact
Gunnar Þórðarson
Regional Manager
gunnar.thordarson@matis.is
Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), often referred to as langoustine or Nephrops, is found in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean and North Sea as far north as Iceland and northern Norway, and south to Portugal. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea and is common in the Adriatic Sea. Due to its ecological demands for sediments, Nephrops has a very patchy distribution, and is divided into over 30 populations. These populations are separated by inhospitable terrain, and adults rarely travel distances greater than a few hundred metres. The global annual catches of the species are around 60 thousand tonnes, with the Nordic countries representing 10-15%.
Nephrops fisheries in the Nordic countries are presently experiencing uncertainty with changing climate, acidification, changes in stock size, distribution, development in gear and vessels, regulatory changes such as the implementation of the EU landing obligation, and many more. At the same time there are immense opportunities to nurture the Nordic Nephrops fishery by promoting sustainable management and maximising economic gain through Nordic cooperation and networking.
The Nordic Council’s working group for fisheries cooperation (AG fisk) is aware of these challenges and opportunities and did therefore fund a research and innovation project to facilitate networking and further cooperation between Nordic researchers, fishermen and other stakeholders. The highlight of the project was a workshop held in Copenhagen 13-14 May 2024 where many key stakeholders shared knowledge and discussed various challenges and opportunities. The general outcome from the project was a common opinion of the workshop participants that further Nordic networking and cooperation is needed. The importance of active dialogue and knowledge exchange between stakeholders such as, government, scientists, fishermen, and research cannot be underestimated, as the sharing of information and open dialogue will facilitate cooperation, reduce mistrust, and provide opportunities for improvement.
A report has now been published about the workshop and its results, which can be accessed here.
More information can be found on the project's website https://norwlobster.com/