Iceland

Case study lead: MFRI​

List of CS partners: TRACKWELL, HAMPIÐJAN, BRIM​

External collaborators: STAR-ODDI, NAUST Marine

A highly profit-driven industry and the second most important source of income for the national economy. The annual catch is approximately 1 million tonnes. The main fishing methods are trawls, hooks and lines and gillnets. Iceland has well- equipped fishing vessels and data-rich industry.

Key features and challenges​

  • Sustainable stocks
  • Unwanted catch​
  • Emission ​
  • bottom impact ​
  • plastic pollution

Main activities and solutions​

Static fishing gear:

  • T2.1.2 Acoustic deterrent devices for gillnets​
  • T2.1.5 Magnetic deterrent device for elasmobranchs​
  • T2.1.6 Gear modifications to increase the acoustic visibility of gillnets to reduce incidental catches of echolocating animals (Perlnets)

Mobil fishing gear:

  • T2.3.2 Innovative ground gear design (semicircular spreading gear)​
  • T2.3.3 Headline kites
  • T3.1.1 Optigear​
  • T3.1.3 Hafsýn​
  • T3.2.2 FishScanner

Guidelines:

  • Task 3.4 Guidelines on safe handling to reduce discard mortality​
  • Task 3.5 Best practice guidelines for implementing operational strategies for reducing the environmental impacts of fisheries on marine biodiversity and habitats