Norway is dropping the total allowable catch (TAC) for Norwegian king crab in 2019, in a bid to protect stocks, according to the ministry of fisheries.
The total quota for male crabs is set at 1,400 metric tons for 2019 -- a decline of 350 metric tons from 2018 -- and the quota for female crabs is set at 100 metric tons, the same as 2018.
"In recent years we have had a very high withdrawal of king crab. Now scientists say that if this continues, it could lead to collapse in the stock," said Fisheries Minister Harald Nesvik.
