As had been expected, Icelandic fisheries minister Kristján Thór Júlíusson has followed the Marine Research Institute’s advice precisely in setting quotas for the 2018-19 quota year, which begins on 1st September.
According to the Institute, most commercial stocks are strong, allowing substantial increases to haddock and saithe quotas, as well as quota increases for cod and catfish. Reductions are for the Icelandic summer-spawning herring and golden redfish, with both of these stocks judged to be weak.
‘Responsible exploitation of marine resources based on scientific advice is a key factor in Iceland’s fisheries management,’ Kristján Thór Júlíusson said.
‘This policy has returned the result that many of our main commercial stocks are still gaining strength. At the same time, this policy is also the reason why Icelandic fisheries are at the forefront. To maintain this position and further it, it is important that we trust the basis of scientific advice by supporting marine research.’
The main quotas for the 2018-19 quota year are 262,000 tonnes of cod, 56,700 tonnes of haddock, 79,092 tonnes of saithe, 13,271 tonnes of Greenland halibut, 13,012 tonnes of deep redfish, 39,240 tonnes of golden redfish and 9020 tonnes of oceanic catfish. No quotas have been set for nephrops and deep sea shrimp.
