NORWAY 



Shrimp fishing extends the length of the Norwegian coast from 

 the Skagerrak in the south to Varanger Fjord in the north. The species 

 taken is a deep-water shrimp, Pandalus borealis . This shrimp is usually- 

 found in deep fjords and in submerged channels off the coast where the 

 sea bottom is soft and clayey. 



Commercial fishing for shrimp is carried on in waters from 

 50 to 200 fathoms deep. There are no seasonal limitations and fishing 

 goes on throughout the year. The boats used in shrimp fishing are from 

 30 to 50 feet long. The smaller boats operate in the more protected 

 fjords while the larger boats are used on the open sea. Shrimp trawl 

 nets of 78 to 96 feet in size are used. 



Shrimp fishing reportedly began in Oslo Fjord in I898. In 

 recent years catches of shrimp have increased considerably, particularly 

 in northern Norway; several productive grounds have also been opened on 

 the southern coast. Large stocks have been found in Sorlandet, the 

 Skagerrak, on the West coast, and in northern Norway off Svalbard, 



Total production in the last 5 years has ranged as follows 

 (as reported from the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries): 



Thousand pounds 



The shrimp taken commercially range from 100 to I60 shrimp to 

 the poiind, varying from 3»S to U.7 inches in length. The smaller shrimp 

 ordinarily are used for canning. Most of the Norwegian shrimp are ex- 

 ported iced or frozen in the shell, although in the last few years there 

 has been a growing market for frozen peeled shrimp in cartons or plastic 

 containers. A relatively small percentage of the catch is canned. The 

 United Kingdom and Sweden are the chief markets for iced or frozen shrimp 



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