Iceland’s Marine Research Institute has recommended that the capelin quota for the 2021-22 season should be set at a maximum of 904 200 tonnes.
This initial recommendation can be expected to be substantially revised as it becomes updated in the light of the results of acoustic surveys that will take place in early 2022.
During the 2020-21 season a limited fishery of only allowed 128,600 tonnes with fishing taking place between January and March. Zero quotas had been set for the two previous seasons.
The Institute’s advice is used by the Minister of Fisheries to set a quota for the season, although Ministers have rarely in recent years deviated far from the scientific advice.
The Minister is also an unknown quantity. Current Minister of Fisheries Kristján Thór Júlíusson stood down from Parliament at the recent elections and as a new government is due to be formed, a new Minister can expected to be appointed – although it is almost a foregone conclusion that a new Minister of Fisheries will come from the ranks of the Independence Party.
