Iceland’s overall catch in 2024 totalled 994,000 tonnes – 28% down compared to the 2023 figure. The prime reason for the shortfall is last winter’s zero-catch capelin season, according to preliminary figures released by Hagstofa Íslands and based on data from the Directorate of Fisheries.
While blue whiting landings were up 10% to 321,000 tonnes, the pelagic catch overall is down 42% down at 545,000 tonnes. The previous year had seen 325,000 tonne capelin catch, and the herring catch is also down 28% to 134,500 tonnes, as is Iceland’s mackerel catch, down 36% to 89,615 tonnes.
While there have been significant fluctuations in pelagic landings between 2024 and the preceding year, landings of demersal species are slightly up with a 4% increase. Cod landings totalled 221,765 tonnes, a 1% increase, and haddock landings lifted 20% to 83,732 tonnes, while saithe is slightly down.
Catches of shellfish and crustaceans dropped 36% to 3704 tonnes, compared to 5773 tonnes in 2023.
