Golden redfish are distributed all over the continental shelf southwards to further north than 62ºN, and also along the coast and in the fjords. The main areas of larval extrusion are outside Vesterålen, on the Halten Bank area and on the banks outside Møre. The peak of larval extrusion takes place in the beginning of May. Genetic studies have not revealed any hybridisation with Deep-sea redfish or Norway redfish (S. viviparus) in the area.
Fishery – highest priced redfish
Norway accounts for 80 to 90 per cent of the golden redfish fishery. Germany also has a long tradition of trawl fishery for this species. The fish are caught mainly by trawl and gillnet, and to a lesser extent by longline and handline. Some of the Norwegian catches, and most of the catches taken by other countries, are taken in mixed fisheries together with saithe and cod. Important fishing grounds are the Møre area (Svinøy), Halten Bank, the banks outside Lofoten and Vesterålen, and Sleppen outside Finnmark. Traditionally, Golden redfish has been the most popular and highest priced redfish species.
Regulations and by-catches
Until 2003, there were no regulations for the Golden redfish fishery, and the regulations aimed at Deep-sea redfish (S. mentella) had only marginal effects on the Golden redfish stock. From 2003, all directed trawl fishery for redfish has been prohibited in the Norwegian Economic Zone north of 62ºN. Accepted as by-catch per haul and on board at any time when fishing for other species, used to be 20 per cent redfish in 2003 and 2004. Since 2005, this percentage has been reduced to 15.
Since 2004, a minimum legal catch size of 32 cm has been set for all redfish fisheries. However, up to 10 per cent undersized specimens of Golden redfish is permitted per haul. In 2004, a limited moratorium was introduced all through the month of May in all fisheries except trawl. Theses fleets were allowed a 20 per cent by-catch of redfish per week, also during the moratorium. For 2005, the moratorium has been extended to include the period from 20 April until 19 June, and the corresponding by-catch permission has been reduced to 15 per cent.
From 2006, the minimum mesh size in gillnets is set to 120 mm.
Stock status and setting of quotas
There has been a substantial reduction in abundance of golden redfish, and the stock is at present all-time low. In the last decade, the year classes have been poor and declining. The stock is has reduced reproductive capacity. This situation is expected to last for a considerable period. More stringent protective measures should be implemented, such as an extension of the limited moratorium and further improvements of the trawl by-catch regulations.