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Fish catches in February 2009

Total catch of Icelandic vessels in February 2009 was 99,648 tonnes compared to 85,808 tonnes in February 2008. Demersal species accounted for 43 thousand tonnes, thereof cod 19 thousand tonnes, haddock 9 thousand tonnes, redfish approximately 7 thousand tonnes and saithe 3 thousand tonnes. Total catch of pelagic species accounted for 54 thousand tonnes, thereof herring catch 18 thousand tonnes and blue whiting catch 1 thousand tonnes. In February a total catch of the mesopelagic fish Mueller's pearlside was 28 thousand tonnes, but fishing of those species by Icelandic vessels started only recently, i.e. in December 2008.

At constant prices the volume of the catch increased by 27% in February 2009 compared with February 2008.

Information about catch of fish which are published in this press release are preliminary figures. The data is gathered by the Directorate of Fisheries.