Effects of kelp harvesting on fish and crustaceans in Vikna, Nord- Trøndelag 2013

The Institute of Marine Research studied effects of kelp (Laminaria hyperborea) harvesting on near shore fish and crab abundance in Vikna (Nord-Trøndelag) in June (before) and August (after) 2013. A similar follow up survey one year after kelp harvesting in Flatanger was planned in august 2013, but had to be postponed for another year due to bad weather conditions. The “after” surveillance in Flatanger was performed in August 2014, and will be presented in a separate report. Recordings were made using fixed underwater camera systems and traditional fish and crab catching gear in kelp harvested areas and in reference kelp beds. Recordings from Vikna in 2013 indicate no significant effects of kelp harvesting on nearshore fish and crab abundances. Such effects may however be disguised by large variations in the data sets, partly because of seasonal variations in fish and crab abundances between the before (June) and after (August) surveillanc