Icelandic Minister of Fisheries Kristján Thór Júlíusson has signed off the regulation licensing a 662,064-tonne capelin fishery for the 2021-22 season.
Reached in agreement with the Marine Research Institute, the regulation authorises what could be the largest capelin season for many years for the Icelandic fleet.
The Institute recently issued its advice for a 904,200 tonnes capelin season, and under agreements with neighbouring nations, 80% of this falls to the Icelandic fleet. This winter’s fishery could be worth ISK50 billion and opens on 15th October.
The capelin fishery moves fast and changes can be expected, as the final outcome of the season depends on research cruises normally carried out in the first weeks of the year and on the fleet’s results as the season progresses.
‘It’s a pleasure to have this opportunity to sign off a regulation ahead of what could be the biggest season for twenty years,’ Kristján Thór Júlíusson said.
‘This is great news for particular coastal communities, as well as for the country as a whole as this generates significant income for the economy as a whole and helps us in the next few months emerge from the Corona-related economic depression.’
