Commercial Fishing & Seafood Industry Contacts - Iceland

Government Contacts & Information Resources for
Commercial Fishing, Seafood, Aquaculture, Marine & Oceans in Iceland

Pelagic Fish in Iceland
The highest catches in Icelandic waters are from the few pelagic species. These fisheries are also characterized by great fluctuations, as the stock size and migration routes of these species are highly variable. The herring is probably the most important species historically. Three stocks occurred around Iceland: the Icelandic spring spawning, Icelandic summer spawning, and Atlanto-Scandian stocks. All of them collapsed in the late 1960´s, but the two last ones have fully recovered and now sustain considerable catches by Icelandic boats.

These fisheries are now exclusively carried out by vessels operating purse seines or pelagic trawls (herring and capelin) or only pelagic trawls (redfish, blue whiting and mackerel). Previously some quantities of herring were also fished with driftnets.

Icelandic Fisheries - Information on Pelagic Fishes

Commercial Fish in Iceland:
Atlantic Cod - Gadus morhua
Haddock (Melangrammus aeglefinus)
Saithe (Pollachius virens)
Blue Whiting (Micromesistius poutassou)
Ling (Molva molva)
Blue Ling (Molva dipterygia)
Tusk Fish (Brosme brosme)
Whiting (Merlangius merlangus)
Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)
Greenland Halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides)
Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)
Lemon Sole (Microstomus kitt)
Witch Flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus)
Megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis)
Dab (Limanda limanda)
Long Rough Dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides)
Redfish (Sebastes spp)
Lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus)
Monkfish (Lophius piscatorius)
Silver Smelt (Argentina silus)
Atlantic Catfish, Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)
Spotted Catfish (Anarhichas minor)
Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Blue Whiting (Micromesistius poutassou)
Capelin (Mallotus villosus)
Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)
Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus)
Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias)
Grey Skate (Dipturus batis)
Starry Skate (Amblyraja Raja radiata)
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)
Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus)
Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis)
Iceland Scallop (Chlamys islandica)
Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica)
Whelk (Buccinum undatum)
Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis)
Nephrops Lobster - Scampi (Nephrops norvegicus)

 

Europêche - Association of national organisations of fishing enterprises in the European Union

 

European Association of Fish Producers’ Organisations (EAPO) - European Association of Fish Producers Organisations

 

European Commission - Fisheries - The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the European Union's instrument for the management of fisheries and aquaculture. It was created to manage a common resource and to meet the obligation set in the original Treaties of the then European Community. Because fish are a natural and mobile resource they are considered as common property. In addition, the Treaties which created the Community stated that there should be a common policy in this area, that is, common rules adopted at EU level and implemented in all Member States.

 

Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile for Iceland - aquatic species caught by country or area, by species items, by FAO major fishing areas, and year, for all commercial, industrial, recreational and subsistence purposes. The harvest from mariculture, aquaculture and other kinds of fish farming is also included.

 

Directorate of Fisheries - The Directorate of Fisheries is an Icelandic Government institution under the ultimate responsibility of the Minister of Fisheries. The Directorate is responsible for implementing government policy on fisheries management and handling of seafood products. The Directorate enforces laws and regulations regarding fisheries management, monitoring of fishing activities and imposition of penalties for illegal catches. Information on Fisheries Management, Fishing Quotas and catches, Fish processing, Importation of fishery products...

 

 

Federation of European Aquaculture Producers - The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) is an international organisation that is composed of the National Aquaculture Associations of European countries. The basic aims of the Federation are: * to develop and establish a common policy on questions relating to the production and the commercialisation of aquaculture species are reared professionally. * to make known to the appropriate authorities the common policies envisaged above.

International Association of Fish Inspectors - Fish, seafood and associated products that are safe, of acceptable quality and readily available for sale in the world's marketplaces. The International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI) is a new and growing organization serving the world fish inspection community. As stated in our Charter, IAFI exists to promote the exchange of ideas and information, foster interaction, understanding and professional collaboration among individuals, organizations, and governments, disseminate knowledge about fish, seafood, and associated products inspection, and promote advancement of the state-of-the-art in fish inspection research and education.

 

Icelandic Fish Farmers and Sea Ranchers Association - The founders purpose was to represent all Icelandic fish farmers in one unified organization in order to safeguard their mutual interests. TIAA places considerable emphasis on presenting the viewpoints of its members to the Icelandic legislature and the executive branch of government and endeavors to study and follow up issues of concern to the Icelandic aquaculture which will be dealt with by the various government institutions.

Ocean Health Index - Iceland - The Ocean Health Index is a valuable tool for the ongoing assessment of ocean health. By providing a means to advance comprehensive ocean policy and compare future progress, the Index can inform decisions about how to use or protect marine ecosystems. The Index is a collaborative effort, made possible through contributions from more than 65 scientists/ocean experts and partnerships between organizations including the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Sea Around Us, Conservation International, National Geographic, and the New England Aquarium. Information for Iceland

 

International Salmon Farmers Association - Aquaculture, or fish farming is centuries old. Salmon farming began in Norway approximately 40 years ago but it has become an economic driver and social mainstay of coastal and rural communities all over the world – in countries like Canada, the United States, Chile, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland and the Faroe Islands. Salmon farming currently employs thousands of people, generates billions of dollars into local economies and provides leadership and training opportunities for young people so that they can work and raise families in their home communities. Farmed salmon has also become a staple part of a healthy, nutritious and affordable diet for people of all ages.