Icelandic fishermen are use to getting paid more if the cod is bigger. But this is chancing according to the Icelandic fish markets.
1-17 February the biggest cod (8kg+) were sold on 1,8 euro while smaller Cod (5-8kg) were sold on 2,8 euros per kg
The big Cod is usually used to make Bacalao (salted fish) mainly for markets in south Europe. After the crisis consuming of Bacalao dropped as well as the price.
Fish factory’s in Iceland are now focusing more on the fresh and frozen fish market’s an in the USA
So now big Cod doesn’t necessarily mean bigger pay-check like it use to for Icelandic fishermen.
Hi! I read your explanation about icelandic quotas (thanks!) but I was wondering how they differ from the European Union ones? Do they have to respect the «smaller fish» issue the same way you do? Thanks in advance for your answer if you find time to get back to me on this! Esther
Anonymous
Hello Esther and thanks for your question. First of all I want to make clear that I am no expert on the EU fishing policy but I try to keep up as much as I can.
As you might know the Icelandic system allow no throw back (except for live halibut) but some of the EU fishing regulation forces the fishermen to throw back some species and some small fish. But the EU is currently addressing this problem. But Iceland has reduced the throw back of small fish by letting fishermen come back with the small fish with out subtraction of their quota. And the market is helping in some way as the smaller fish is getting more valuable so there is no gain in throwing it back.
My answer is: The EU is not doing the right in matter of smaller fish being thrown back in to the water but they are addressing the problem as we speak.
I hope that I answered your Question Esther and if I did not or if you want to know more. Please let me know
Kind regards. Thorsteinn Masson
No more Halibut from Iceland
Scientist at the Icelandic MRI have claimed for some years that the Halibut stock is in danger and something has to be done.
The Icelandic government decided last year that after 2011 direct Halibut fishing is forbidden and all live halibut brought on board as a by-catch must be put back after being caught. Halibut that is already dead has to be sold on a fish-market and 80% of the price go the government. 20% to the fishermen and boat owners.
This measure is taken so fishermen cant profit from Catching only “dead” halibut.
Most of the Halibut coming from Iceland is a by-catch. Meaning that most of it is caught wile seeking for other fish. But a few boats did use long line, special designed for Halibut-fishing which is now forbidden.
It’s interesting to know that fish & chips has 34% less calories than an average chicken meal and has 42% less fat than your average Kebab.
It’s also nice and flattering for us Icelanders to know that most off Icelandic haddock that goes to the UK is used in England’s national dish, the legendary fish & chips.
So here might be a recipe for the best fish & chips in the world:
Icelandic fish. British traditional recipe, fries, vinegar and mashed peas :)
This video was shot in a small town in Iceland. Have a nice weekend Y’all :)
Biggest plastic boats ever build in Iceland Saga K. Built by Seigla for fishing company Eskoy in Norway.
Is eating Whale is the Eco way to go?
We had this letter sent to us by an Icelandic reader.
Some of us have concern about modern meat production and after watching “Food inc.” Those concern where brought to a higher level. Modern meat production is often viciously cruel, has high negative impact on the environment and on top of everything is sponsored with tax-payers money as some governments are subsidizing the meat industry. So what choice do consumers have that do not want industrialized meat on there table? Well the obvious way of course is not eating meat and go for plant based diet only. We also have other choices like free range chicken, organic beef and other “meat sources” that has not been grown in harsh, factory-like conditions but those. But what if I told you that we have another source of meat. No hormones, no antibiotics, cages or cruel conditions. All of the animals are free to go where ever they like and there is no government money involved. And last but not least it taste almost like beef. I’m talking about Minke whale meat. Please here me out before you call me barbaric. I know some good people feel about “whale eating” as they would do “about Unicorn eating” and I respect that but I don’t necessarily agree. The Marine Research Institute of Iceland say hunting some 100 Minke whales is sustainable and do not threaten the stock in any way. Almost all of the minke whale meat is consume in Iceland and only a small fraction is sold out side Iceland. People against whale hunting has also told the story’s of brutal pain and suffering among hunted whales. All animal that we eat suffer at some point. But after the whale hunters started using harpoons with some kind of exploding tip at the end the instant death rate after being shot is very high. Whalers also had to attend classes where biologist’s and veterinarian’s went over some things about quick and painless methods. So in most of Icelandic people minds whale hunting is the best way to access meat regarding sustainability, animal welfare and tax-payers money.
Icelandic boat owners worries that Norwegian fishing industry is getting technological advantage on the Icelandic on.
They say that the Norwegian fleet is much younger, better equipped and has the latest technology while the Icelandic on is getting old and out of date.
The reason, according to The Federation of Icelandic Fishing Vessel Owners is uncertainty made by the Icelandic government. No one knows what the government is going to do regarding the quota system and therefor no one want to invest in modern trawlers or other technology.
But there is still some renovation going on in the smaller boat sector and the smaller fleet is fairly new and well-equipped according to small boats owners but they also worries that the government is on the wrong track dealing with the quota system and things are going too slow.
Blog about Iceland's fishing industry, What is good and what could be better.
Everything from the biggest vessels to the smallest of boats. Environmental take on the industry as well as sustainability.
We are not here to take sides or brag.
We are here to be a part of the only industry Icelandic people have counted on for hundred's of years with great success and hopefully the Icelandic fishing industry will continue to be one of the best in it's class.
Questions or comments?
Icelandicfish.wp@gmail.com
Anonymous
