The Icelandic Marine Research Institute has proposed an additional capelin fishing quota of 65,000 tons. The suggested maximum catch is therefore up to 390,000 tons, compared to the last suggestion of 325,000 tons.
Capelin. Copyright: Icelandic Photo Agency.
This is the second time in three weeks that the institute has recommended that the quota be increased. On January 24, the quota was increased from 200,000 to 325,000 tons, Fréttabladid reports.
Sigurgeir Brynjar Kristgeirsson, managing director of the fish processing plant Vinnslustödin in the Westman Islands, estimated that 65,000 tons of capelin could deliver approximately ISK 3 billion (USD 25 million, EUR 19 million) in export revenue.
The research vessel Árni Fridriksson has monitored the movement of capelin schools to the east and south of the country since February 4 and estimated the size of the stock. According to these studies, the stock includes 608,000 tons of adult capelin.
Click here to read more about capelin fishing and a strike among capelin workers that was recently called off.
