About the statistics

1. Administrative information

1.1. Name

Fisheries

1.2. Subject group

10.05 - Fishing and fish farming

1.3. Frequency and timeliness

Semi-annual and annual preliminary figures, annual final figures.

1.4. Regional level

Municipial figures, county figures and figures for entire country.

1.5. Responsible division

430 - Division for Primary Industry Statistics

1.6. Legal authority

Data are obtained by the Directorate of Fisheries pursuant to the following Acts:

Statistics Norway recieve data from the Directorate of Fisheries according to:

1.7. Legal document(EU)

1.8. International reporting

The Directorate of Fisheries does reporting to:

2. Background and purpose

2.1. Purpose and history

The Fishery statistics presents an overview of catches of saltwater fish. Statistics on fisheries were first displayed in a publication of its own in 1868. The Directorate of Fisheries took over the preparation of the publication in 1900. Since 1977 it has been Statistics Norways responsibility in co-operation with the Directorate of Fisheries.

2.2. Users and applications

The purpose of collecting data from catches is to gather information necessary to secure a viable administration of the marine resources. This is done by controlling resources and quotas, and by having fishery statistics of good quality.

The data forms the basis for research work in connection with regulations, strategic analysis, analysis of structure of the fishing fleet, and also the consequences of administrative actions on the industrial economy. The data also forms the basis of fulfilling Norway's obligation to report to international organisations.

Figures from the fishery statistics are a part of the national accounts, which are an essential information source for the analysis of the economic development and economic structure in Norway.

The fishery statistics is otherwise used by public authorities and the general public, research institutions, students, media, financial analysts, interest groups and national and international organisations.

3. Statistics production

3.1. Population

The statistic cover all catches of marine fish delivered in Norway or abroad by Norwegian-registered vessels and catches of marine fish delivered in Norway by foreign vessels. Included are also sealing, whaling, catches of seaweed, oysters and mussels, while delivering outside the sales co-operatives and none-registered sales are not included. Fish farming and fishing for own use is not included either.

3.2. Data sources

The Directorate of Fisheries produces catch statistics based on information from approved sales co-operatives. According to law, official approved sales co-operatives have the sole right of first hand sale of most fish species and other animals caught in the sea. Excepted from this are salmon, sea trout and seal.

3.3. Sampling

Total census

3.4. Collection of data

The statistic is based on contract notes given to the fishermen as a part of the settlement. These notes contain information about quantity and value together with other information.

Statistics Norway receives data from the database of contract notes, administrated by the Directorate of Fisheries.

3.5. Control and revision

The Directorate of Fisheries does the control and the revision of the catch database.

3.6. Estimation

The Directorate of Fisheries does the estimations.

3.7. Confidentiality

Not relevant.

4. Concepts, variables and classifications

4.1. Definitions of the main concepts and variables

Live weight is the weight of the fish in the condition it is caught. The weight of fish that is landed without head, in gutted condition, as fillet or salted etc. is converted into live weight.

FAO uses the concept of nominal catch instead of live weight. The word catch is also often used without further explanation. In catch journals this is interpreted as estimated quantity in live weight.

Catch value is the amount paid to the fishermen for the catch. This includes freight and price subsidies and production tax, but not tax to the sales co-operatives. Value added tax is not included.

Pelagic means living in the water masses.

4.2. Standard classifications

Standard classifications of target species, fish commodities, fishing grounds and conversion factors are given in appendixes to the yearly publication NOS Fishery statistics

5. Sources of error and uncertainty

5.1. Measurement and processing errors

The information on the contract notes may vary in quality, and extensive verification is a necessity.

Vessels using more than one type of fishing gear on one trip, can only report one type of fishing gear on the contract note, and vessels fishing in more than one fishing ground can only report one fishing ground. This must be considered when reading the tables. This is also the explanation for possible discrepancies between catch statistics based on contract notes and those based on catch journals from trawlers. Information from catch journals can sometimes be missing due to the loss of catch journals prior to submission.

When collecting statistics common errors occurrs, like errors when filling in, errors in assessment during the revision as well as errors in the register etc.

5.2 Non-response errors

It is not possible to estimate figures for landings which have not been registered trough official channels.

5.3. Sampling errors

Not relevant.

5.4. Other sources of error

Not relevant.

6. Comparability and coherence

6.1. Comparability over time and space

Statistics Norway publishes preliminary figures of catches in quantity and value for the whole year and for the first 6 months of a year in the 6th and 35th week respectively. Final figures for the whole year are published in the 50th week.

The selection of tables for this edition has been changed compared with earlier years, but the data sources are the same. As from 2005 a new grouping of target species is used, and the list of specified species is slightly changed as well as the categories for disposition of the catch.

Time series of catches in quantity and value all the way back to 1977 are published in the series NOS Fishery statistics. Furthermore, comparable time series going back to 1866 are presented in NOS Historical Statistics 1978 and 1994, and in the Statbank.

6.2. Coherence with other statistics

The Directorate of Fisheries publishes Preliminary figures

Many international organisations also publish statistics of catches in quantity and value, e.g. FAO, and Eurostat

7. Availability

7.1. Publications and other links

7.2. Microdata

The Directorate of Fisheries and Statistics Norway stores the data files.


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