Norway recommends 60 percent cut in king crab quota

The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR) completed a 2023 research survey that showed a significant decline in the king crab population in the Barents Sea. Consequently, IMR has recommended a drastic reduction in the 2024 quota, to just 966 tonnes. This represents a cut of 60 percent compared to 2023, when the quota was set at 2 375 tonnes. Landing statistics show that there has been a continuous decline for both male and female king crab in Norway since early 2022. 

IMR also suggested that the fishing conservation period, which so far has only covered the month of April, be extended. The king crab changes its shell over a long period, from February until the end of June, and this is also when spawning takes place. Soft-shell king crab is of a lower commercial value and is more vulnerable to handling.