Good news for the far north: on 23 October 2026, Norway and Russia set the 2027 Barents Sea cod quota at 325,000 tonnes, around 14% more than in 2026.
Skrei, the star of winter
Skrei is the Norwegian name for Arctic cod. Every winter, it leaves the Barents Sea to spawn along the Norwegian coast. In the Lofoten Islands, this fishery runs from January to April and dates back to well before the Viking age. Fish drying on the big wooden racks, the famous stockfish, are part of the landscape.
A world championship since 1991
Every March, Svolvær hosts the World Cod Fishing Championship: around 600 anglers, amateurs and professionals alike, head out on nearly 80 boats. Cod approaching 30 kg are not unusual.
Scientists remain cautious about the state of the stock, but the quota increase is a signal the whole sector has been waiting for. For shops in the Nordic countries, now is the time to get ready for the season: our attractants for cold-water sea fishing are presented in our Nordic guide, which is being finalised.
Sources: Baird Maritime · Visit Norway. Photos: art_of_pboesken via Pixabay ; CristianManieri via Pixabay.