Increased Share of Women and Young Fishers in Norway
Fishing boats at Røst in Lofoten. According to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, there is an increased interest in the fishing profession among women and young people. The highest share of female full-time fishers were in the age group 20-29 years in 2024. (Photo: the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue)
Despite the number of registered fishers decreasing, there is an increased interest in the fishing profession among women in Norway, writes the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.
Preliminary figures from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries show an increasing proportion of women and young fishers in the fishing register.
According to the Directorate, there is increasing interest in the fishing profession among women, measured both in terms of the number of fishers and as a proportion of the total number of fishers.
The proportion of female fishers has risen steadily over many years. In 2024, 501 women were registered as full-time fishers, constituting 5.3 percent of the total number of full-time fishers.
Distributed by age, the largest share of female full-time fishers was in the age group 20-29 years in 2024, with 26 percent.
Overall, the proportion of younger full-time fishers has also been increasing. However, the Directorate writes that the distribution between the age groups is relatively stable from 2023 to 2024.
The graph from the Directorate of Fisheries shows the number of full-time fishers based on gender from 2010-2023. The orange line shows male fishers, while the blue shows female fishers.
Decrease in the number of fishers
However, the Directorate of Fisheries reports a decrease in the total number of fishers.
At the end of 2024, there were a total of 9,456 people who had fishing as their primary occupation (full-time fishers). This is a decrease of about 200 people from 2023.
In total, including as a secondary occupation, 10,584 fishermen were registered, the lowest number registered.
Decrease in active fishing vessels
The Directorate of Fisheries also refers to the preliminary figures for registered fishing vessels. The number of registered fishing vessels appears to have remained relatively stable in recent years.
In 2024, there were 5,441 registered fishing vessels, a reduction of 37 vessels from 2023.
The number of active fishing vessels in 2024 was 4,614, a decrease from 4,675 in 2023. Active fishing vessels are fishing vessels registered with a catch in the Directorate of Fisheries' landing and final bill register during the year.
