Norwegian herring – a good choice for you and the environment

Herring is one of the most fished wild species in the world, which means responsible harvesting is both crucial and complex.

Atlanto-Scandian herring, of which all commercial Norwegian herring is part, comprises of many different stocks in many different geographical zones. In Norway, our herring fisheries focus primarily on two, spring spawning herring and North Sea herring. 

In December 2020, the Marine Stewardship Council suspended the certification for Norwegian Spring Spawning herring but it is important to know it was not because the  stock is in a bad shape.

Why is there no agreement?

Joint fishery agreements are key for Norway, but we are at the same time dependent on the other participating countries to reach an agreement. For Norwegian spring spawning herring however, such an agreement has unfortunately not been reached, the result being that the fishery does not meet one of the three criteria of the MSC certificate.

How does Norway ensure its herring is sustainable?

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do – from our modern management systems and regulatory bodies, to our diverse fishing fleet. We know that this is the only way to secure the future of our fish stocks and we take pride in the fact that our holistic approach safeguards not just herring stocks and other key species but the ecosystem as a whole.

Our focus is on world class scientific research to ensure we have the most up-to-date information on the health of the seas, the right equipment to make sure fish are not caught before they can thrive and spawn, and regulation and enforcement. Norway has been a world leader in regulating and protecting its seas and everything we do is guided by research and science.

How are these laws enforced?

Laws are only as good as their enforcement and in Norway a number of different bodies take responsibility for ensuring fishing policies are followed. The Norwegian Coast Guard spends around 70 percent of its resources making sure fishing activities are carried out at the right time, in the right areas and with the right equipment. The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries carries out regular inspections of foreign and Norwegian fishing vessels arriving in port and at sea. The result is healthy fish stocks and very few cases of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing for herring in our waters.

What other methods are employed to protect herring stocks?

The laws we have, the quotas we set and herring we enjoy are all guided by science. Research vessels go out to sea and scientists look at the fish that are caught. Spawning herring, which travel great distances over the course of their lives, are tracked with sonar and we know where our fish are caught. Quotas revised down, or minimum fish sizes set as needed to safeguard stocks for the future. Norway’s research bodies monitor the seas to make sure that resources are harvested in a sustainable manner, watching for climate change and advising on regulation to protect the ecosystem. They also conduct research into the value of seafood as part of the human diet – with herring offering a very healthy option.

What is the result?

What all this means is that Norwegian herring is sustainable from sea to plate. Our management and monitoring process is based on long-term thinking. This enables us to safeguard our fish stocks and protect the industry and our coastal communities. Every step of our fishing process – from catching to selling – is rigorously managed through quotas and concessions and monitored through surveillance and controls. Through this, we are ensuring that future generations will benefit from the resources we’ve been so fortunate to enjoy.