Lowest catch in rivers in 30 years

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In 2018, 146 800 salmon, sea trout and migratory char were caught in Norwegian rivers, which is the lowest catch since 1988, and 19 per cent less than the year before. Of these, 78 per cent were slaughtered and 22 per cent were caught and released.

Written by: Anne Turi Baklien

Preliminary figures for river catch of salmon, sea trout and migratory char 2018 show that the fishermen caught most fish in Tana and its tributaries, Namsenvasssdraget and Målselvvassdraget.

The catches varied a lot due to the length of the fishing periods and the return of salmon to the rivers. The hot summer in 2018 affected the water level and the water temperature, which led to low catches in many rivers.

Figure 1. River catch of salmon, sea trout and migratory char

Slaughtered fish Caught and released fish
2009 143675 10095
2010 167182 19917
2011 151682 21441
2012 166461 25650
2013 143454 25442
2014 130272 31629
2015 162508 34982
2016 143403 36943
2017 144638 37214
2018* 114706 32089

Tana most important

Tana and its tributaries was the most important watercourse in 2018, with a total catch of 10 000 salmon, sea trout and migratory char. This is an increase of 33 per cent from the year before. Two per cent of the fish were caught and released and 98 per cent were slaughtered.

In Namsenvassdraget, 7 500 salmon, sea trout and migratory char were caught in 2018, 25 per cent less than the year before. Thirteen per cent were caught and released.

Most catch and release in Gaula and Orkla

Ranked by catch and release, Gaula and Orkla are the most important watercourses. In 2018, 3 700 salmon, sea trout and migratory char were caught and released in Gaulavassdraget, and 2 850 in Orkla.

Figure 2. Rivers with the biggest catch of salmon, sea trout and migratory char 2018. Preliminary figures

Slaughtered fish Caught and released fish
Stjørdalsvassdraget 1027 1663
Bjerkreimselva 2645 237
Drammenselva 3048 71
Mandalselva 3281 658
Orkla 1397 2850
Altavassdraget 4848 450
Gaulavassdraget 1810 3671
Målselvvassdraget 5398 345
Namsenvassdraget 6550 937
Tanavassdraget (norsk del) 9855 166

 

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