Iceland’s October Fish Catches Drop 22%, Year-on-Year

In October 2024, the total fish catch amounted to approximately 96,000 tonnes, a 22% decrease compared to October 2023. The decline was driven by significant reductions in both demersal and pelagic catches.

The demersal catch totaled just over 40,000 tonnes, with cod making up the largest portion at 22,000 tonnes. The pelagic fish catch was 54,000 tonnes, a sharp 34% drop compared to the same month last year. This catch included 20,000 tonnes of herring and 34,000 tonnes of blue whiting.

Over the 12-month period from November 2023 to October 2024, total fish catch reached 973,000 tonnes, representing a 29% decrease compared to the same period the previous year. The primary cause of this significant decline was the reduction in capelin catches.

These figures highlight ongoing challenges in fish stock management and the impact of environmental factors on key species like capelin, which play a critical role in sustaining the broader fishing industry.