Record Prices for Stone Bite Roe Bring Joy to Fishermen
This year, the procurement price for stone bite roe has reached impressive new heights, much to the delight of Greenland’s fishermen. At the Royal Greenland A/S facilities along the coast, the price for rockfish roe is set at 40 kroner per kilo, supplemented by a bonus of one kroner.
Due to heightened competition among five local factories in Nuuk, the price for procured roe has surged to 42 kroner plus that same bonus. The start dates for the rockfish fishery differ by region, with fishing permitted for a span of 60 days.
A Competitive Market Fuels Price Increases
In Nuuk, the largest city in Greenland, four producers are vying for the stone bite roe market: Royal Greenland A/S, Polar Raajat A/S, Unik Seafood Greenland A/S, and the newly established Arctic Roe ApS. Each is purchasing stone bite roe at a price of 43 kroner per kilo, with Arctic Cod ApS opting instead to focus on different fish varieties.
Pele Blytmann, chairman of the fishermen’s and trappers’ organization KNAPK, attributes this year’s elevated prices to increased competition among these producers. An agreement signed at the end of March between Arctic Roe ApS and KNAPK set a minimum price for stone bite roe at 35 kroner, a move Blytmann believes has prompted others to raise their rates accordingly.
“After the deal was struck, KNAPK and Royal Greenland held two productive meetings focused on the stone bite roe price,” Blytmann explained. “Our session with Royal Greenland yielded a mutually beneficial agreement, resulting in a transaction price of 43 kroner in Nuuk and 41 kroner along the coast.”
“The healthy competition instigated by the agreement with Arctic Roe ApS has effectively pushed stone bite roe prices higher than ever,” Blytmann added, emphasizing the positive outcome of these negotiations.
Surge in Fishermen Participation
The rockfish season kicked off on April 10 in Nuuk, and Aslak W. Jensen, a dedicated fisherman and trapper, has already begun his pursuits, filled with optimism about the procurement price. “The rising prices for rockfish roe have undoubtedly encouraged more dinghy fishermen to engage in rockfish harvesting,” Jensen noted.
He expressed satisfaction regarding how the absence of an MSC certification for Iceland’s rockfish roe, coupled with Denmark’s fishing ban on this species, has bolstered the value of Greenland’s rockfish. “The MSC certification for monkfish roe in Greenland has significantly elevated prices, benefitting everyone involved,” he remarked.
In Nuuk, cod prices have also seen an uptick. Fishermen can expect to receive between 20 and 30 kroner per kilo, depending on the purchasing outlet. Jensen believes that the overall conditions for dinghy fishermen have improved notably compared to previous years.
Optimistic Outlook Amid Variable Conditions
Søren Rosing, chairman of the fishermen’s and trappers’ association in Qeqertarsuatsiaat, indicated that chilly weather has delayed the rockfish fishery’s start, but he is hopeful for an active season ahead. “Given that rockfish roe prices may be at an all-time high, I anticipate that all 20 members of our club will partake in this year’s fishing,” he stated.
Regionally, in Qeqertarsuatsiaat, stone bite roe and various fish species are procured for Royal Greenland. While there are no procurement facilities in Kapisillit, most dinghy fishermen from that settlement primarily catch cod, which is sent for sale in Nuuk. In light of the high prices for rockfish roe, many from Kapisillit are expected to venture to the Nuuk area for rockfish fishing, as reported by Angutimmarik Hansen, chairman of the local fishermen’s association.
Regulatory Overview
Fishing for rockfish in Greenland is strictly governed and confined to coastal waters. The fishery is organized into seven management areas:
- Administrative area 510-K 1A (Qasigiannguit, Ilulissat, Qeqertarsuaq, Uummannaq, and Upernavik) – Fishing starts on April 1
- Management area 521-K 1Ba (Aasiaat) – Fishing starts on April 15
- Management area 522-K 1Bb (Sisimiut) – Fishing starts on April 5
- Management area 530-K 1C (Maniitsoq) – Fishing starts on April 15
- Management area 540-K 1D (Nuuk) – Fishing starts on April 10
- Administrative area 550-K 1E (Paamiut) – Fishing starts on April 1
- Administrative area 560-K 1F (South Greenland) – Fishing starts on April 1
In any given quota year, fishermen can obtain licenses for two management areas: their home waters and one adjacent area.
Source: Sullissivik.gl.