Icelandic research vessel Árni Friðriksson has completed its participation in this year’s international North Atlantic pelagic survey.
During the 19-day survey, Árni Friðriksson steamed 3250 nautical miles and and 43 tows were taken, along with research into feed levels at selected points.
The density and distribution of mackerel, herring and blue whiting stocks in Icleandic waters was investigated, with the exception of the south-eastern area which was covered by Faroese research teams.
Initial results indicate that the density of mackerel in Icelandic waters is similar to that of previous years, but distribution is less wide. Mackerel were identified primarily on the continental shelf waters and along the edge of the shelf to the south of Iceland, with only a few fish to be found off the west of the country.
As in previous years, both Atlanto-Scandian and Icelandic spring spawning herring were to be found in most of the trawl spots off the north and east, and Icelandic summer-spawning herring were identified to the south and west.
Mature blue whiting were located along the edge of the continental shelf to the south and west in much the same densities as last year.
Initial results show that sea surface temperatures are similar to those in 2022 to the south and west of Iceland, but were lower off the north coast.
