Capelin quota recommendation up 81%

Iceland's Marine and Freshwater Research Institute has issued a significant increase in its recommended quota for capelin, proposing a total allowable catch of 358,000 tons for the upcoming fishing season. This figure marks an substantial 81% rise from the previous season's allocation, signaling a positive outlook for the capelin stock.

Guðmundur Óskarsson, head of the pelagic division at the institute, described the trend as positive but emphasized that these are preliminary figures. He noted that a more accurate assessment of the catch limit will be determined after the winter surveys are completed. "This gives an indication of what to expect, and hopefully, it will come to pass. There is a large year class present, but we have to wait and see," Óskarsson stated.

Capelin populations are known for their considerable fluctuations, with significant year-to-year variations. Óskarsson recalled a strong year class in 2019, followed by very small year classes in the intervening years. The fish have a relatively short lifespan, typically spawning at three years old, and it is primarily three-year-old capelin that are caught. The institute's recommendation suggests a robust return of the species, offering a hopeful prospect for the Icelandic fishing industry.

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This gives an indication of what to expect, and hopefully, it will come to pass. There is a large year class present, but we have to wait and see.