Iceland Seafood

Iceland is among the world's leading fishing nations. This North Atlantic island is home to a fleet of more than 1500 commercial fishing vessels. The Icelandic commercial fishing fleet is known for its state of the art of fisheries technology.

Cod and haddock are the most important species for Iceland's fishing sector - both culturally and economically.

Around 16% of Iceland's cod catch is exported to the UK with a further 12% being exported to Spain. The export market for Icelandic haddock is dominated by the UK which takes about 65% of the catch.

In 2011, Sæmark Seafood Ltd.'s cod and haddock fisheries were the first of Iceland's fisheries to be certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.

source: MSC

The island of Iceland is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Canada and Greenland. Iceland is volcanically and geologically active. The interior geography consists of sand fields, mountains, glaciers and glacial rivers which flow to the sea through the lowlands.

Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull Volcano erupted on March 20, 2010. A 500-meter long fissure opened in the Fimmvörduháls pass to the west of the ice-covered summit of Eyjafjallajökull. Lava fountains erupted fluid magma which began flowing Hrunagil Gully.

The plume from the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull volcano has continued thru April, reaching heights of 5 kilometers, with some events reaching higher altitudes. Much of the ash and smoke drifted on north-westerly winds, reaching as far as Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Germany, France and the UK. The volcanic ash plume shut down air flights over much of Europe, causing serious disruptions of business and travel.

photo credit: NASA image by Robert Simmon, using ALI data from the EO-1 team.

Conditions for fish farming are regarded as excellent in Iceland, due to ocean access and the availability of clear spring water for aquaculture. Icelandic aquaculture operations produce salmon, arctic char, cod, mussels and other seafood.

Eight species of flatfish are commonly harvested by Icelandic commercial fishing vessels. Greenland halibut are caught by trawlers in deep waters. These large halibut are also taken using other gear in moderately deep to shallow areas.

Smaller groundfish including plaice, lemon sole, witch flounder, dab, long rough dab and megrim are harvested by Danish seines or trawling in intermediate or shallow waters.

Canada and Iceland have signed administrative cooperation agreements with The European Commission which mark a new step in the parties' efforts to prevent, deter and eliminate Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Regulation forms part of the EU fisheries control policy and will enter into force on 1 January 2010. The agreed records between the parties recognise that the control systems in place in the two countries equal the level of control laid down in the European Regulation. The agreements will also enhance the cooperation in the fight against IUU fishing between the respective authorities.

One of the core elements of the IUU Regulation is the introduction of a catch certification scheme which will ensure that all maritime fisheries products which are to be traded with the EU are obtained in compliance with existing conservation and management measures.

The IUU Regulation is a transparent and non-discriminatory instrument applying to all fishing vessels engaged in the commercial exploitation of fishery resources in all maritime waters. It seeks to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing in as much as they are linked to the EU either through trade to and from its territory or the involvement of EU nationals in IUU fishing activities conducted under any flag. It also provides a comprehensive legal basis for operational cooperation between third countries and the EU to combat IUU fishing more efficiently.

source: EU Commission press release

Norway Lobster

The Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) is also called Dublin Bay prawn, langoustine or scampi. The species is a type of slender, brightly colored lobster which reaches lengths of about 24 cm long (9-10 in). Males on average larger than females. Norway lobsters are found in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean and North Sea as far north as Iceland and northern Norway, and south to Portugal.

More shellfish information is coming.....

Iceland has begun assessment towards fisheries certification through Global Trust. With the addition of Alaska, now two of the world's leading sustainable fisheries are taking a new approach of certifying their management structure directly against the FAO Codes.

"This is not a new standard," said Peter Marshall, founder and CEO of Global Trust. "The FAO Codes are recognized and respected. GT offers a refreshed, high-integrity certification process backed by accreditation, which is of interest to 'best in class' fisheries. Both Alaska and Iceland are recognized as world models of best fisheries management practices..."

source: ASMI press release

In 2010, Icelandic fishing policy was in the international spotlight. The controversy centers around Atlantic mackerel.

These small pelagic fish roam the North Atlantic in huge schools. According to scientists, mackerel, have shifted their range northward, which brings more fish within waters of Iceland and Faroes Islands.

Opposed to increased quotas for Icelandic fishermen are Scottish and other Europeans. EU members claim that increased fishing quotas could devastate mackerel stocks, impacting the entire region.