Catch and fishing methods

Cod is by far the most economically important fish stock in Iceland. In recent years cod products have accounted for 35-40% of the total seafood export revenue. It is the main target species in the handline, longline and gillnet fisheries, and also the most important target in the Danish seine and bottom trawl fisheries.

Cod is caught all around Iceland and throughout the year, but fishing is still highest in the winter season on the spawning grounds and along the migration routes to the spawning grounds. During other seasons, the highest catches are on the main feeding grounds northwest and southeast of Iceland. It is mostly caught at depths of 100 - 250 m and ocean temperatures of 4 - 7 °C.

Long term landings of cod have varied from 160,000 tonnes to 470,000 tonnes per year in the last 30 years, with an average of close to 290,000 tonnes. Total catches increased steadily from around 100,000 tonnes in the beginning of the 20^th century to a total of around 500,000 tonnes around 1935. Catches fell after that due to a decline in the fishing fleet and also due to the Second World War when foreign fleets could not fish in Icelandic waters. After the war, catches increased rapidly again to a maximum of 551,084 tonnes in 1954. Total catches have gradually declined since then to the current level.

From the beginning of the 20^th century until the Second World War, Icelandic catches were roughly on par with foreign catches. After the war, however, Icelandic catches were somewhat higher until foreign fleets were totally excluded from Icelandic waters after the extension of the EEZ to 200 miles. The main foreign fleet that was fishing cod was the British fleet, followed by the German fleet.

Hreiðar Þór Valtýsson, University of Akureyri