Initial results of the Icelandic section of the research project indicate that the volume of mackerel in Icelandic waters is similar to previous years, and a similar co-ordinated research effort last year put the figure at 1.10 million tonnes. What has attracted attention this time is that the research showed juvenile one-year mackerel deep off the south-west of Iceland, indicating that mackerel are spawning in Icelandic waters.
The results show that there has been a great deal of mackerel observed all around Iceland this summer, with shoals of mackerel observed in many bays and fjords.
According to Vilhjlmur Vilhjlmsson, head of department at HB Grandis pelagic division, this merely confirms what has been observed over the last few years.
"I can quote examples of small mackerel caught as by-catches with groundfish, which indicates mackerel spawning inside the Icelandic EEZ. This is now confirmed. These results certainly strengthen Icelands case for a fair share of the mackerel TAC for the North Atlantic and hopefully our counterparts overseas will be aware that a large portion of the mackerel stock is seeking feed inside our waters," Vilhjlmur Vilhjlmsson said.
HB Grandis pelagic vessels have roughly a 16,000 tonne mackerel quota this year and its trawlers have an additional 5500 tonnes, giving the company an approximately 21,500 tonne mackerel quota.
The Marine Research Institute announced the results of the project.
Mackerel Spawning in Iceland's Exclusive Economic Zone
ICELAND - A co-ordinated research cruise to examine mackerel distribution and volumes around Iceland and the Faroe Islands and extending as far east as the Norwegian coast, came to a close recently.
by Lucy Towers
