Iceland’s Marine and Freshwater Research Institute has advised a zero TAC for the 2024-25 capelin season.
The Instutute’s recommendation is based on the outcome of the acoustic sampling carried out by research vessel Árni Friðriksson, fishing vessel Polar Ammassak and Greenlandic research vessel Tarajoq between late August and the end of September. The survey is considered to have covered the distribution area of the stock. The survey estimate had low coefficient of variation as the capelin was relatively evenly distributed.
The total biomass estimate came to 610,000 tonnes of which the mature part of the stock amounted to 307,000 tonnes. When taking estimated predation into account up to spawning in March, the spawning stock biomass is estimated at 193,000 tonnes.
The aim of the management plan is to set the final TAC with >95% probability of SSB being greater than or equal to Blim of 114,000 tonnes at spawning time. That will not be reached according to the stock assessment – which means a zero catch recommendation for the current season.
The estimated number of juveniles came to 57 billion. More than 50 billion is required to provide non-zero preliminary advice for the next fishing season (2025/26) according to the management plan, but ICES will give advice on fishing opportunities for that season in June 2025.
This doesn’t mean that there won’t be a capelin fishery this winter, and the Institute’s recommendations will be revised following further acoustic sampling of the capelin stock in January.
