Iceland's Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI) is cutting its recommendation for capelin catches in the 2022/2023 season by more than 45 percent from its initial advice.
Scientist are now advising that the total allowable catch (TAC) should be no more than 218,400 metric tons, replacing the previous recommendation of 400,000 metric tons, which was based on numbers of immature capelin from a survey in 2021.
A more recent survey conducted between Aug. 27 and Sept. 29, concluded the total biomass came to 1.1 million metric tons, of which the spawning stock amounted to 763,000 metric tons.
The quota is still subject to revision, however, and will be updated after new figures are available in January and February of 2023.
Some fishermen are nevertheless optimistic, as there have been many years entirely without a capelin fishing season. Of the past 13 years, seven have seen no initial capelin quota issued, reported the Iceland Review.
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