The total catch of Icelandic vessels in 2016 was just over 1,067 tonnes, 252 thousand tonnes less than in 2015. The value of catch was approximately 133 billion ISK and decreased by 12.1% from the previous year. The decrease in value is mainly due to strengthening of the Icelandic krona.
Demersal catch was 456 thousand tonnes in 2016, which is a 4.7% increase from 2015. However, the value of demersal catch decreased between years. The value of demersal catch was 92.6 billion ISK in 2016, 9.9% less than in the previous year.
Pelagic catch was 575 thousand tonnes in 2016 which is a decrease of 275 thousand tonnes compared with 2015. This is mostly due to a 252 thousand tonnes decrease in capelin catch. The value of pelagic catch in 2016 was 27.8 billion ISK and decreased by 19.6% from the previous year.
Approximately 24 thousand tonnes of flatfish were landed in 2016 which is an increase of 1.9% from the year before. The value of flatfish catch was 9.1 billion ISK and decreased by 7.9% between years. Shellfish catch was 12.5 thousand tonnes, 23.7% more than in 2015. The value of shellfish decreased from 4 billion ISK in 2015 to 3.5 billion ISK in 2016.
The Statistical Series on catch, value and processing of catch 2016, which was scheduled for release today, has been postponed until further notice. Fisheries data and statistical tables are already available: