Minstemålet gjelder fangsten, ikke sant?

It is a compound noun:

• minste = smallest / minimum
• mål = measure / size / measurement

So minstemål means something like minimum size or minimum measurement.

The ending -et makes it definite singular, so minstemålet means the minimum size.

Because mål is a neuter noun in Norwegian.

For a neuter noun, the definite singular usually takes -et:

• et mål = a measure / a size
• målet = the measure / the size

Since minstemål is built on mål, the definite form becomes minstemålet.

Gjelder is the present tense of å gjelde, which means to apply, to concern, or to be valid for.

So:

• regelen gjelder alle = the rule applies to everyone
• det gjelder meg = that concerns me
• minstemålet gjelder fangsten = the minimum size applies to the catch

This is a very common verb in rules, laws, and official language.

In Norwegian, å gjelde often takes a direct object without a preposition:

• Dette gjelder alle fiskere
• Regelen gjelder båter over 15 meter
• Minstemålet gjelder fangsten

Using for is sometimes possible in other contexts, but with regulations and what something applies to, the direct-object pattern is very common and natural.

Fangsten is the definite singular form of fangst:

• en fangst = a catch
• fangsten = the catch

The speaker is referring to a specific catch or to the catch being discussed in context. Norwegian often uses the definite form when the thing is already known from the situation.

It can mean both, depending on context.

• fangst can mean catching / capture
• it can also mean the catch, meaning what has been caught

In this sentence, fangsten most naturally means the catch itself — for example, the fish that were caught.

Ikke sant? is a very common tag meaning something like:

• right?
• isn’t that right?
• correct?

It invites agreement or confirmation from the listener.

So the sentence has the feel of:

• The minimum size applies to the catch, right?

It is extremely common in spoken Norwegian.

Because ikke sant functions as a separate tag or comment clause added to the main statement.

The main sentence is:

• Minstemålet gjelder fangsten

Then the speaker adds:

• ikke sant?

The comma helps show that pause and separation, much like in English:

• The minimum size applies to the catch, right?

This is normal Norwegian main-clause word order:

• subject: Minstemålet
• verb: gjelder
• object/complement: fangsten

Norwegian main clauses usually follow the verb-second principle, and when the subject comes first, the finite verb comes right after it.

So this is a straightforward standard sentence pattern.

Yes, but that would mean something different in tone and structure.

• Minstemålet gjelder fangsten, ikke sant? = a statement plus a confirming tag
• Er det minstemålet som gjelder fangsten? = a direct question, more like Is it the minimum size that applies to the catch?

The original sounds like the speaker already believes it is true and is just checking.

It is very common in everyday speech and works well in informal and neutral spoken Norwegian.

In very formal writing, you would usually avoid it, because it is conversational. But in speech, or in dialogue, it sounds perfectly natural.

Depending on tone, it can sound:

• friendly and conversational
• checking understanding
• slightly persuasive, as if expecting agreement

Usually the main stress would fall on the important content words, especially the one being contrasted or confirmed:

MINStemålet gjelder FANGSTEN, ikke sant?

If the speaker is contrasting fangsten with something else, that word may get extra emphasis.

The tag ikke sant? usually has a rising or checking intonation, because the speaker is asking for confirmation.