Iceland confirms 177,000 ton cod quota – Fishupdate.com

Iceland confirms 177,000 ton cod quota Published:  06 July, 2011

ICELAND has confirmed that its cod catch quota for the new fishing year which starts on September 1st will be 177,000 tons – an increase of around ten per cent.

This is good news for UK fish buyers and Grimsby’s fish processing factories who are among the main recipients of Icelandic cod.

The  haddock quota is being reduced by 5,000 tons to a new annual catch of 40,000 tons – slightly less than predicted.

The cod quota is in line with the recommendations from Iceland’s Marine Research institute. The MRI had recommended that no more than 37,000 tons of haddock should be taken over the next 12 months, but the government has allowed a higher total which will also be welcomed in the UK.

However, the country’s fishing leaders have said that the cod stock is in such a good condition that a quota of at least 190,000 tons should have been allowed this year. It is hoped that this will be the figure for the next fishing year.

Iceland is also allowing a pollack quota of 52,000 tons, a slight increase on the current fishing year, but the catfish quota has dropped from 12,000 tons to 10,500 tons.

There is growing pressure in Iceland for more fish to be processed at home rather than sent abroad whole. The aim of this is to boost employment in the fish processing factories.

The fishing industry is also facing possible structural changed with government plans to re-organise the way the quotas  are sold and allotted. The plans are being resisted by the fishing vessel owners.

The total allowable catch for Icelandic halibut is unchanged at 13,000 tons.