Fishing was very good on the Reykjanes Ridge at the limits of the 200-mile limit while the Icelandic fleet was at work.
According to Icelandic regulations, fishing may not start before the 10 May, although the Russian vessels fishing in the area had already fished well before that date. In fact, fishing had been good enough for them to have taken the 15 per cent of their overall quota they are allowed prior to 10 May.
Last year’s fishing on deep sea redfish was a disappointment for Icelandic fishermen and vessel owners. Last year there had been good fishing for several weeks before the fishery opened for Icelandic vessels, but rising sea temperatures dispersed the fish and the quota was not easily caught.
As a result, the overall quota was cut, although taking into account fishing during May this year, the stock appears to be in better shape than anyone had expected.
