32% reduction in advice of lumpfish

The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI) advises that the catch of female lumpfish in the 2024/2025 fishing year does not exceed 2760 tonnes. This is a 32% reduction between years. The advice is based largely on the biomass index from the demersal fish stock survey in March 2025 but also from the survey in 2024.

The biomass index in 2025 was the second lowest since measurements began in 1985. Last year's index was also low and well below the long-term average.

The biomass index for lumpfish fluctuates between years, which partly reflects the uncertainty in the measurements. Because of this, the index from the assessment year weighs 70% against the 30% weight of the previous year's index in the harvest control rule. Taking this into account, MFRI also advises that the initial catch limit for the 2025/2026 fishing year be 662 tonnes.

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