Russia saw a 30 percent increase in northern shrimp catch from the Barents Sea during the first four months of this year compared to 2019. While catch has climbed for the often-overlooked species, the landings remain far below scientific advice, meaning ample room for growth.
Northern shrimp has not been a highly sought-after species for decades, resulting in rather large stocks. Things changed for the species a few years ago in light of the ban Russia imposed on foods imported from the U.S., Canada, the E.U., Norway, and other countries in 2014.
In 2017, the northern shrimp catch was just 3,700 metric tons (MT). But in 2018, catch increased three-fold to 12,000 MT, with 2019 building on volumes further with 27,900 MT. This year looks to be following a similar growth pattern, with 8,100 MT of northern shrimp caught and recorded through 7 May, up from the 6,000 MT seen in the same period last year, Russian media agency FishNews reported.
The number of fisheries involved in fishing northern shrimp has also been going up, from nine in 2017 to 23 in 2019.
This year’s scientifically recommended volume is 50,000 MT. This is likely to be the same in 2021. There have been no indices of overfishing, though it may happen in some zones. The stock’s size will be stable at least through 2022.
Eighty percent of the catch is delivered to the Russian market, primarily in a boiled-frozen format, a representative of the North's Fisheries Union told FishNews. The product is now in high demand despite relatively high prices, and the competition posed by shrimps from China has established its place in the market over recent years.
Exports of the species are increasing, too – in 2018, 1,200 MT were exported and in 2019, 5,200 MT was exported.
Photo courtesy of NVS my world/Shutterstock
