During the period 13-26th of February 2023 the spawning grounds of Norwegian spring-spawning herring from Møre (62º15 ˊ N) to Tromsøflaket (71 º N) were covered acoustically by the commercial fishing vessels MS Eros and MS Vendla. The estimated biomass was about 15 % lower, and the estimated total number was about 5 % higher this year compared to last year’s survey. The uncertainty of the estimates in 2024 was much lower than last year. The surveyed population was dominated by the 2016 year class; 50 % in numbers and 57 % in biomass. Most of the spawning stock was found west of Lofoten and Vesterålen this year, more northerly distributed than in earlier years. More young herring was observed in the north than normal on this survey which is a positive sign in terms of future recruitment to the spawning stock. The estimates of abundance by age group from the survey in 2024 are recommended to be used in this year’s ICES stock assessment of Norwegian spring-spawning herring.

Distribution and abundance of Norwegian spring-spawning herring during the spawning season in 2024