The spawning migration of capelin in 1972

The fishery season on spawning capelin in the Barents Sea and off the coast of northern Norway took place from the beginning of January to the end of March. During the first month the R.V. «G. O. Sars» and the M.V. «M. Ytterstad» carried out capelin investigations in this area, the latter vessel continued until middle of April. The main part of the spawning stock migrated in January from the area south of the Central Bank towards the coast of western Finnmark. Only small consentrations belonging to this western influx came close to the shore. Most of the capelin were recorded 15 - 30 n.miles from the coast, the southern limit being the Malangsgrunnen. In the Middle of March good consentrations of mature capelin were also recorded in the Varangerfjord south of Vardø. This capelin were recorded north of the Skolpenbank in January, but in spite of extensive investigations its migration route towards the coast was not located. In early February a total of 5.100 capelin were tagged. The spawning stock consisted mainly of four years old capelin, 65.1% supported by five years old individuals, 24.4%, and 9.6% were three years old. Compared to earlier spawning stocks the contribution of five years old capelin was unusually high. The capelin off the eastern and western coast of Finnmark was not different in length or age composition. Spawning started in late January off the coast of western Finnmark. The spawning stock in 1972 was less abundant than in 1971