A 33-day research mission that concluded earlier this month has raised significant concerns about the current distribution of mackerel, herring, and blue whiting within Icelandic waters. The mission, which covered approximately 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) around Iceland, revealed troubling findings regarding these key species.
Preliminary results indicate that mackerel distribution within Icelandic waters is at its lowest level since surveys began in 2010. Mackerel were detected at only five of the 43 surface trawling stations, with nearly all located southeast of Iceland. At three of these stations, only a few fish were caught, while the other two yielded 1.7 tonnes and 10.3 tonnes respectively. The mackerel were notably large, with an average length of 40 cm and an average weight of 550 g.
The survey also identified a reduction in the numbers of Icelandic summer-spawning herring on the southern and western continental shelf, where only a few fish were caught at three stations. However, the Norwegian-Icelandic spring-spawning herring was found at many stations in the north and east of the country, consistent with previous years.
Blue whiting was recorded along the southern and western continental shelf edge, with densities similar to those observed in recent summers.
Additionally, the survey revealed that sea surface temperatures in southern and western Iceland were similar to those recorded in the summer of 2023, but cooler in the northeast and east.
Vessels from Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Denmark participated in the survey. The data collected from the five ships will be compiled and analysed by mid-August, with the final results expected to be presented at the end of the month.
Source: The Fishing Daily
