The excellent quality of game angling for salmon in Norwegian rivers is internationally recognized. A substantial and increasing amount of the fish landed for human consumption has been exported as fresh fish to European markets. The main salted or smoked products are produced from cod and used in southern Europe and South America for traditional dish. There are about 20 factories with an average employment of 25 people. Altogether, a total of about 600 land-based plants are approved for the processing of fish.
Figures fluctuate around one million tons, depending on resources.
Most of the production is used for feed in the salmon aquaculture industry. There are no accurate statistics on per caput consumption of fish in Norway. Both studies give product weights, with the most important products in both studies being fresh fish and fillets. A decrease in fishing capacity has given more compliance between catch and effort in the Norwegian fishery, but some structural problems remain. A further decrease in the number of vessels and technical enhancement of the fleet is called for.