CAPELIN

Key signals

The size of the capelin stock and the catches have fluctuated between years and reflect the size of the incoming cohort at any given time. Since changes occurred in the stock’s nursery and feeding grounds around 2000, both stock size and catches have generally been smaller.
Recruitment of the 2024 year class is estimated to be large, with an index of 118.7 billion juvenile capelin in the autumn survey 2025, the 5th largest recruitment on record.
The capelin initial TAC for the 2026/2027 fishing year is advised not to exceed 358 044 tonnes when following the harvest control rule. This advice is based on acoustic measurements of the immature part of the stock in the autumn.
The autumn survey in 2025 was able to cover the main areas of the stock.

General information

The capelin is a small pelagic schooling fish. It is a cold-water species that inhabits arctic and subarctic waters in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Capelin in the Iceland-East Greenland-Jan Mayen area (IEGJM) is considered to be a single stock, and is denoted hereafter as the IEGJM capelin stock.

Fisheries of capelin began in Iceland in the mid-1960s. Besides being commercially important, capelin is a key species in the marine ecosystem off Iceland. It feeds on small zooplankton, especially copepods but also amphipods and krill. It is also itself an important food for cod, saithe, haddock, halibut and other commercial fish, as well as for whales and seabirds. Thus, capelin is an important link in the transfer of energy and nutrients to the upper levels of the food web. The preferred temperature for capelin is usually 1-3°C during its feeding migration and it is then often at the southern extent of cold Arctic water. When adult capelin migrate from the feeding areas far north of Iceland, east and southeast of Greenland, they are mainly considered to approach the shelf break north of Iceland and then migrate clockwise around the island. Part of the main migration continues all the way towards the coast west of Iceland. Spawning takes place in shallow water in March-April in relatively warm seas along the south and southwest coast of the country. Spawning has also been observed in coastal areas north of Iceland but the extent of that spawning has been considered small compared to the number that spawns in the south. The majority of capelin dies after spawning, usually at the age of 3 years, although mainly females may survive spawning (Christiansen et al., 2008). The migrations of capelin contribute to a huge transfer of energy into the ecosystem of the Icelandic continental shelf. Larvae and juveniles drift clockwise along the continental shelf north and east of Iceland and in variable quantities towards the Denmark Strait and to the shelf of East Greenland. Nursery grounds of capelin are in the waters north of Iceland and increasingly on the continental shelf of East Greenland since the early 2000s (Bardarson et al., 2021; Singh et al., 2023).

Fishery

Landing trends

Landings of capelin in the IEGJM area have fluctuated since the start of the fishery in the mid-1960s, with peaks in the late 1990s and early 2000s, followed by a marked decline in the mid-2000s. The catch from the IEGJM capelin stock in the 2025/2026 fishing season was 190 086 tonnes. The total historical catch of the stock is shown in Figure 1 by season and by country in Figure 2.

Figure 1: Capelin. Total catch (in thous. tonnes) since 1963/64 fishing year by season. Data from the Directorate of Fisheries.

Figure 2: Capelin. Total landings of capelin in ICES region 5a (in thous. tonnes) since 1963 by calendar year and fishing nation.

Table 1: Capelin. The international catch since 1964 (thous. tonnes) by winter (January to March) and summer to autumn (June to December). Data from the Directorate of Fisheries.

Year	Iceland_Winter	Norway_Winter	Faroes_Winter	Greenland_Winter	Total_Winter	Iceland_Sum.Aut	Norway_Sum.Aut	Faroes_Sum.Aut	Greenland_Sum.Aut	EU_Sum.Aut	Total_Sum.Aut	Total
1964	8.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	8.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	8.6
1965	49.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	49.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	49.7
1966	124.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	124.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	124.5
1967	97.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	97.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	97.2
1968	78.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	78.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	78.1
1969	170.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	170.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	170.6
1970	190.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	190.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	190.8
1971	182.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	182.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	182.9
1972	276.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	276.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	276.5
1973	440.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	440.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	440.9
1974	461.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	461.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	461.9
1975	457.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	457.1	3.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	3.1	460.2
1976	338.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	338.7	114.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	114.4	453.1
1977	549.2	0.0	24.3	0.0	573.5	259.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	259.7	833.2
1978	468.4	0.0	36.2	0.0	504.6	497.5	154.1	3.4	0.0	0.0	655.0	1159.6
1979	521.7	0.0	18.2	0.0	539.9	442.0	124.0	22.0	0.0	0.0	588.0	1127.9
1980	392.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	392.1	367.4	118.7	24.2	0.0	17.3	527.6	919.7
1981	156.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	156.0	484.6	91.4	16.2	0.0	20.8	613.0	769.0
1982	13.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	13.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	13.2
1983	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	133.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	133.4	133.4
1984	439.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	439.6	425.2	104.6	10.2	0.0	8.5	548.5	988.1
1985	348.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	348.5	644.8	193.0	65.9	0.0	16.0	919.7	1268.2
1986	341.8	50.0	0.0	0.0	391.8	552.5	149.7	65.4	0.0	5.3	772.9	1164.7
1987	500.6	59.9	0.0	0.0	560.5	311.3	82.1	65.2	0.0	0.0	458.6	1019.1
1988	600.6	56.6	0.0	0.0	657.2	311.4	11.5	48.5	0.0	0.0	371.4	1028.6
1989	609.1	56.0	0.0	0.0	665.1	53.9	52.7	14.4	0.0	0.0	121.0	0.0
1990	612.0	62.5	12.3	0.0	686.8	83.7	21.9	5.6	0.0	0.0	111.2	798.0
1991	202.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	202.4	56.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	56.0	258.4
1992	573.5	47.6	0.0	0.0	621.1	213.4	65.3	18.9	0.5	0.0	298.1	919.2
1993	489.1	0.0	0.0	0.5	489.6	450.0	127.5	23.9	10.2	0.0	611.6	1101.2
1994	550.3	15.0	0.0	1.8	567.1	210.7	99.0	12.3	2.1	0.0	324.1	891.2
1995	539.4	0.0	0.0	0.4	539.8	175.5	28.0	0.0	2.2	0.0	205.7	745.5
1996	707.9	0.0	10.0	5.7	723.6	474.3	206.0	17.6	15.0	60.9	773.8	1497.4
1997	774.9	0.0	16.1	6.1	797.1	536.0	153.6	20.5	6.5	47.1	763.6	1561.5
1998	457.0	0.0	14.7	9.6	481.3	290.8	72.9	26.9	8.0	41.9	440.5	921.8
1999	607.8	14.8	13.8	22.5	658.9	83.0	11.4	6.0	2.0	0.0	102.4	761.3
2000	761.4	14.9	32.0	22.0	830.3	126.5	80.1	30.0	7.5	21.0	265.1	1095.4
2001	767.2	0.0	10.0	29.0	806.2	150.0	106.0	12.0	9.0	17.0	294.0	1061.2
2002	901.0	0.0	28.0	26.0	955.0	180.0	118.7	0.0	13.0	28.0	339.7	1294.7
2003	585.0	0.0	40.0	23.0	648.0	96.5	78.0	3.5	2.5	18.0	198.5	846.5
2004	478.8	15.8	30.8	17.5	542.9	46.0	34.0	0.0	12.0	0.0	92.0	634.9
2005	594.1	69.0	19.0	10.0	692.0	9.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	9.0	701.1
2006	193.0	8.0	30.0	7.0	238.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	238.0
2007	307.0	38.0	19.0	12.8	376.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	376.8
2008	149.0	37.6	10.1	6.7	203.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	203.4
2009	15.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	15.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	15.1
2010	110.6	28.3	7.7	4.7	150.7	5.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	5.4	156.1
2011	321.8	30.8	19.5	13.1	385.2	8.4	58.5	0.0	5.2	0.0	72.1	457.3
2012	576.2	46.2	29.7	22.3	674.4	9.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	10.0	684.4
2013	454.0	40.0	30.0	17.0	541.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	541.0
2014	111.4	6.2	8.0	16.1	141.7	0.0	30.5	0.0	5.3	9.7	45.5	187.2
2015	353.6	50.6	29.9	37.9	471.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.5	0.0	2.5	474.4
2016	101.1	58.2	8.5	3.3	171.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	171.1
2017	196.8	60.4	15.0	27.4	299.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	299.8
2018	186.3	74.5	14.3	11.4	286.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	286.5
2019	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2020	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2021	67.0	49.4	6.4	6.6	129.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2022	433.8	122.3	29.5	26.6	612.1	4.3	0.0	0.0	0.6	0.0	4.9	617.0
2023	325.7	50.4	22.8	46.3	445.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2024	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2025	5.5	0.0	0.8	3.0	9.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	9.4
2026	151.8	0.0	9.0	29.3	190.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

Spatial distribution of the catch

The distribution of the catches of the Icelandic fishing fleet by year can be seen in Figure 3.

Historically, most of the catch has been taken with purse seines, but a variable amount has been taken with pelagic trawl throughout the fishing seasons, depending on the size of the TAC and when it is issued. Discards have been considered negligible. The catches in 2025/26 were taken 98% by purse seine and by 2% by pelagic trawls.

Capelin catches with pelagic trawl are concentrated along the northern, northeastern coast, and eastern shelf break of Iceland. Pelagic trawl catches are distributed more broadly in the areas off the shelf break, while purse seine catches are distributed in an narrower strip extending from the offshore southeast onto the shelf and near the coast from southeast to southwest and west of Iceland (Figure 5). In 2026, catches were mostly confined to a narrow shallow coastal strip extending from the southeast and almost continuously into Breiðafjörður, west of Iceland (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Capelin. Distribution of catches by the Icelandic fishing fleet based on logbooks. Data from the Directorate of Fisheries.

Figure 4: Capelin. Interactive catch distribution by recent 10 years, moratorium years are excluded. The catch distribution is based on the logbooks of the Icelandic fleet, showing the spatial distribution of catches in recent years. The intensity of catches is shown with a color gradient from green (lower catch) to red (higher catch). The map includes controls to toggle between different years and zoom in on specific areas for a detailed view of catch patterns.

Figure 5: Capelin. The total catch (in thous. tonnes) of capelin by gear type, from 1990-2002 and 2003-2026. Data from the Directorate of Fisheries.

Total catches peaked in the late 1990s, reaching over 1200 thous. tonnes, followed by a marked decline from around 2002 to 2010, coinciding with periods of low stock biomass (Figure 6). Catches reported in the logbooks of the Icelandic fleet show a clear spatial pattern in fishing activity. The proportional contribution of catches across spatial areas displayed high interannual variability throughout the period 1990 to 2026, with no single area maintaining consistent dominance until 2005. After 2005, a notable shift was observed with the western area increasingly accounting for a larger proportion of total catches, suggesting a redistribution of fishing activities (Figure 6). During periods of high stock abundance (late 1990s), catches were more widely distributed across regions, whereas during low-biomass periods, catches became increasingly concentrated in fewer core fishing areas in the west and southwest (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Capelin. Catch (in thous. tonnes) of capelin by area as reported in the logbooks of the Icelandic fleet. Data from the Directorate of Fisheries.

Seasonally, most catches occur between January and April (Figure 7). Purse seine has historically dominated the catch, though the relative contribution of pelagic trawl has fluctuated, peaking at 50% in the mid-2000s and again at 65% in the mid-2020s, and the relative contribution has decreased in recent years (Figure 8).

Figure 7: Capelin. Catch (in thous. tonnes) and proportion of capelin by gear (PGT = Pelagic Trawl and PSE = Purse Seine) as reported in the logbooks of the Icelandic fleet by the different months and years. Data from the Directorate of Fisheries.

Figure 8: Capelin. Catch (in thous. tonnes) and proportion of capelin by gear (PGT = Pelagic Trawl and PSE = Purse Seine) as reported in the logbooks of the Icelandic fleet by the different years. Data from the Directorate of Fisheries.

Fleet size and fishing effort

The vessels in the capelin fishery use either purse seine or pelagic trawl. The TAC and when it is used affect the decision on which gear type to deploy; a later date of issue and lower quota reduce the probability of pelagic trawl being used.

The number of vessels accounting for 95% of annual capelin landings declined from around 40 during the 1993-2004 period, despite a notable increase in total catch (Figure 9). Between 2000 and 2009, vessel numbers declined further to below 20, in line with reduced catches. After a temporary increase during 2009- 2014, the number of vessels accounting for 95% of annual capelin landings has since decreased to around 10, reaching a historical low by 2025 (Figure 9).

Figure 9: Capelin. Number of vessels (all gear types) accounting for 95% of the total catch annually since 1994. Left: Plotted against fishing year. Right: Plotted against total catch. Data from the Directorate of Fisheries.

As noted in the WKCAPELIN benchmark (ICES, 2023), catch per unit effort is not considered a reliable index of abundance for capelin, as catch rates are strongly influenced by capelin’s tendency to form dense schools (which inflates catch efficiency whenever a school is encountered), as well as by the ability of vessels to actively target known aggregations, and by quota constraints and fleet gear types. Acoustic survey indices remain the primary basis for stock assessment and management advice.

Table 2 summarizes the landing of the capelin fishery by gear type and year.

Table 2: Capelin. Summary of landings (thous. tonnes) in the Icelandic capelin fishery by gear type and year since 2000.

Year	Other Vessel (number)	Other Vessel Catch (th. t)	Purse seine (number)	Purse seine Catch (th. t)	Pelagic trawl (number)	Pelagic trawl Catch (th. t)	Total Catch (th. t)
2001	0	68.8	165	815.1	29	115.0	998.9
2002	2	141.9	146	846.7	59	239.4	1228.0
2003	0	210.9	107	371.4	63	319.6	901.9
2004	0	9.9	94	367.5	50	157.0	534.4
2005	1	0.0	90	414.5	57	190.0	604.5
2006	0	0.0	50	165.1	30	23.4	188.5
2007	1	0.0	64	258.8	34	50.5	309.3
2008	1	1.8	46	122.3	19	24.9	149.0
2009	0	0.0	15	15.1	0	0.0	15.1
2010	0	0.0	48	113.2	4	3.2	116.4
2011	1	51.7	64	250.9	22	79.5	382.1
2012	0	86.9	65	392.3	44	197.5	676.7
2013	1	23.7	50	335.6	30	121.3	480.6
2014	0	0.5	39	91.9	18	20.3	112.7
2015	0	0.0	55	309.7	19	44.7	354.4
2016	0	0.0	34	96.6	4	5.4	102.0
2017	0	0.0	42	197.9	0	0.0	197.9
2018	0	0.0	37	117.3	17	71.6	188.9
2021	0	0.0	34	69.5	21	77.9	147.4
2022	0	0.0	46	202.1	49	249.2	451.3
2023	0	325.7	46	320.6	6	5.2	651.5
2025	0	0.0	9	5.6	0	0.0	5.6
2026	0	0.0	37	150.9	2	1.0	151.9

Cohort composition and mean weight at age

Sampling of catches spans cohorts from birth years 1961-2024, reflecting the capelin age composition in the fishery (Figure 10). In recent years, catches appear to consist of a narrower range of cohorts because the fishery is mainly conducted between January and April, and autumn fishery is becoming less common. These analyses reflect the selectivity of the fishery, and may not be representative of the overall population age structure, as the fishery is highly selective for certain age classes, and possibly targeting the larger, older individuals.

The number of fish sampled per year increased from the 1980s, peaking in the mid-1990s, consistent with the period of highest catches (Figure 10). Sampling declined substantially after the 2000s, with further reductions during periods of low stock size. Cohorts vary across years, reflecting high interannual variability in recruitment strength and the small size of some year classes.

Figure 10: Capelin. Cohort composition in the capelin catches by cohort and year. Upper panel: number of fish sampled per year, coloured by cohort (birth year). Lower panel: proportion of each cohort in the catch by year. Cohort spans birth years 1961-2024.

Mean weight at age deviates notably from the overall mean across cohorts and ages, indicating considerable variability in individual growth among year classes (Figure 11). Variability increases with age, with some cohorts showing deviations exceeding 5 - 10 g. After the 2000s, the mean weight at older ages (3 to 5) appears to be above the long-term average.

Figure 11: Capelin. Mean weight at age by cohort of the capelin observed in the catches as deviations from the long term average.

Total catch in numbers (billions) and weight (thous. tonnes) in autumn and winter is given in Table 3 and Table 4, respectively.

Table 3: Capelin. The total international catch of capelin in the Iceland-East Greenland-Jan Mayen area by age group in numbers (billions) and the total catch in numbers and weight (thous. tonnes) in the autumn season (August–December) since 1985.

Year	Age 1	Age 2	Age 3	Age 4	Age 5	Total number	Total weight
1985	0.8	25.6	15.4	0.2	0.0	42.0	919.7
1986	0.0	10.0	23.3	0.5	0.0	33.8	772.9
1987	0.0	27.7	6.7	0.0	0.0	34.4	458.6
1988	0.3	13.6	5.4	0.0	0.0	19.3	371.4
1989	1.7	6.0	1.5	0.0	0.0	9.2	121.0
1990	0.8	5.9	1.0	0.0	0.0	7.7	111.2
1991	0.3	2.7	0.4	0.0	0.0	3.4	56.0
1992	1.7	14.0	2.1	0.0	0.0	17.8	298.1
1993	0.2	24.9	5.4	0.2	0.0	30.7	611.6
1994	0.6	15.0	2.8	0.0	0.0	18.4	324.1
1995	1.5	9.7	1.1	0.0	0.0	12.3	205.7
1996	0.2	25.2	12.7	0.2	0.0	38.4	773.7
1997	1.8	33.4	10.2	0.4	0.0	45.8	763.6
1998	0.9	25.1	2.9	0.0	0.0	28.9	440.5
1999	0.3	4.7	0.7	0.0	0.0	5.7	102.4
2000	0.2	12.9	3.3	0.1	0.0	16.5	265.1
2001	0.0	17.6	1.2	0.0	0.0	18.8	294.0
2002	0.0	18.3	2.5	0.0	0.0	20.8	339.7
2003	0.3	11.8	1.0	0.0	0.0	14.3	199.5
2004	0.0	5.3	0.5	0.0	0.0	5.8	92.0
2005	0.0	0.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.4	9.0
2006	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2007	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2008	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2009	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2010	0.0	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	5.4
2011	0.0	2.5	1.6	0.0	0.1	4.1	72.1
2012	0.0	0.2	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.4	10.4
2013	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2014	0.0	2.2	0.6	0.0	0.0	2.8	45.5
2015	0.0	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.4	2.5
2016	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2017	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2018	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2019	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2020	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2021	0.0	2.6	0.6	0.0	0.0	4.2	77.1
2022	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.2	4.9
2023	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2024	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2025	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2026	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

Table 4: Capelin. The total international catch of capelin in the Iceland-East Greenland-Jan Mayen area by age group in numbers (billions) and the total catch in numbers and weight (thous. tonnes) in the winter season (January–March) since 1986.

Year	Age 2	Age 3	Age 4	Age 5	Total number	Total weight
1986	0.1	9.8	6.9	0.2	17.0	391.8
1987	0.0	6.9	15.5	0.0	22.4	560.5
1988	0.0	23.4	7.2	0.3	30.9	657.2
1989	0.1	22.9	7.8	0.0	30.8	665.1
1990	1.4	24.8	9.6	0.1	35.9	686.8
1991	0.5	7.4	1.5	0.0	9.4	202.4
1992	2.7	29.4	2.8	0.0	34.9	621.1
1993	0.2	20.1	2.5	0.0	22.8	489.6
1994	0.6	22.7	3.9	0.0	27.2	567.1
1995	1.3	17.6	5.9	0.0	24.8	539.8
1996	0.6	27.4	7.7	0.0	35.7	723.6
1997	0.9	29.1	11.0	0.0	41.0	797.6
1998	0.3	20.4	5.4	0.0	26.1	481.3
1999	0.5	31.2	7.5	0.0	39.2	658.9
2000	0.3	36.3	5.4	0.0	42.0	830.3
2001	0.4	27.9	6.7	0.0	35.0	787.2
2002	0.1	33.1	4.2	0.0	37.4	955.0
2003	0.1	32.2	1.9	0.0	34.4	648.0
2004	0.6	24.6	3.0	0.0	28.3	542.9
2005	0.1	31.5	3.1	0.0	34.7	692.0
2006	0.1	10.4	0.3	0.0	10.8	230.0
2007	0.3	19.5	0.5	0.0	20.3	376.8
2008	0.5	10.6	0.4	0.0	11.5	202.4
2009	0.1	0.6	0.1	0.0	0.7	15.1
2010	0.7	5.3	0.9	0.0	6.9	150.7
2011	0.1	16.2	0.6	0.0	17.0	385.2
2012	0.6	25.0	6.1	0.0	31.8	674.4
2013	0.3	12.1	9.7	0.2	22.3	541.0
2014	0.1	4.8	1.3	0.0	6.1	141.8
2015	0.3	17.5	4.7	0.1	22.7	471.9
2016	0.4	5.5	2.0	0.0	8.0	171.1
2017	0.4	5.4	4.1	0.1	10.0	299.8
2018	0.6	10.4	0.9	0.0	11.9	286.5
2019	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2020	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2021	0.0	4.8	0.3	0.0	5.2	129.4
2022	0.2	22.6	1.5	0.0	24.3	612.1
2023	0.0	7.9	9.2	0.1	17.2	445.2
2024	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2025	0.0	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.3	9.3
2026	0.1	6.8	0.7	0.0	7.6	190.0

Data and Sampling

Commercial data

The sampling coverage from the commercial catches is generally good (Figure 12), with a long time series of biological samples collected from the catches. The samples are collected from purse seine and pelagic trawl catches, with a focus on ensuring representative sampling across different areas and times of the year. The majority of the age proportion of the catches is of age 3 over the past 10 years.

Figure 12: Capelin. Interactive catch distribution by recent 10 years, moratorian years are excluded. The catch distribution is based on the logbooks of the Icelandic fleet, showing the spatial distribution of catches in recent years. The intensity of catches is shown with a color gradient from green (lower catch) to red (higher catch). The map includes controls to toggle between different years and zoom in on specific areas for a detailed view of catch patterns.

Biological sampling

At least 50 to 100 individuals per sample are processed from the catches for biological analysis, weight, length measurements and gonad weight and maturation stages. The age of the fish is determined by examining otoliths under a microscope, while length measurements are taken using standard measuring millimeter boards. The biological data collected from these samples are crucial for understanding the age structure, and maturation composition of the capelin stock, which in turn informs stock assessments and management decisions. The sampling strategy aims to ensure that the collected data are representative of the overall fisheries locations, covering different areas and times of the year to capture potential spatial and temporal variations in the stock’s biological characteristics.

Table 5 summarizes the number of biological samples, length measurements, and otolith samples by year and gear type (Pelagic Trawl and Purse Seine).

Table 5: Capelin. Number of biological samples (number of hauls sampled), length measurements, and otolith samples by year and gear type.

Year	Number of samples	Length (Purse Seine)	Length (Pelagic Trawl)	Otolith (Purse Seine)	Otolith (Pelagic Trawl)
1993	95	9304	0	9292	0
1994	63	6208	0	6199	0
1995	59	5900	0	5898	0
1996	85	8438	0	8400	0
1997	115	10926	500	10911	500
1998	72	7196	0	7176	0
1999	54	5388	0	5385	0
2000	91	9097	0	8962	0
2001	81	8096	0	8078	0
2002	67	6322	0	6006	0
2003	32	3200	0	3190	0
2004	31	3100	0	3092	0
2005	20	1950	0	1943	0
2006	14	1400	0	1387	0
2007	35	3402	0	3268	0
2008	29	2899	0	2889	0
2009	9	814	0	796	0
2010	44	4363	0	4162	0
2011	44	4359	0	4350	0
2012	25	2465	0	2426	0
2013	26	2541	0	2535	0
2014	44	3942	0	3940	0
2015	61	5538	200	5528	200
2016	17	1700	0	1600	0
2017	65	6105	0	5982	0
2018	57	2295	2889	2062	2888
2020	2	0	200	0	200
2021	56	4276	889	4123	872
2022	100	5048	4542	4805	4519
2023	42	1470	2376	1464	2370
2025	16	74	1274	74	1273
2026	48	1798	750	1174	749

Survey data

Capelin acoustic assessment surveys

The IEGJM capelin stock has been assessed by acoustics annually since 1978. The surveys have been conducted in autumn (September-December) and in winter (January-February). An overview of the assessment method is given in the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas Northwestern Working Group report stock annex ICES NWWG .

Autumn survey 2025

Autumn surveys are conducted with the aim of assessing both the immature and the maturing part of the stock (Bardarson et al., 2024). Since 2010, the autumn surveys have started in September (and partly in late August), a month earlier than in the preceding years because of difficulties in covering the stock due to drift ice and bad weather during later months at the more north-westerly feeding grounds of the stock since the early 2000s (Vilhjálmsson, 2007).

The 2025 survey was conducted on behalf of the MFRI by the r/v Arni Fridriksson and r/v Tarajoq on behalf of the GINR (Greenland Institute of Natural Resources) (Figure 13). The survey area was on and along the shelf edge off East Greenland from about 64°30´N towards about 72°15´N, also covering the Denmark Strait and the slope off northwest Iceland. The Iceland Sea and Jan Mayen area were only briefly scouted due to time constraints and for the same reason hydrographic measurements and zooplankton sampling were limited due to bad weather conditions. The initial planned survey tracks had to be changed due to stormy weather.

In general, drift ice only limited the coverage of the survey vessels in a few regions although icebergs and a lack of information on bottom topography occasionally affected routes and limited the extent of transects towards the Greenlandic coast (Figure 13).

Maturing capelin was mainly observed outside the Icelandic continental slope North and Northwest of Iceland (between 68-70°N and 20-22°W, see Figure 14). In the western Denmark Strait maturing capelin was mixed with immature capelin, while mainly mature capelin was found further northeast outside of Scoresby Sound. Similar to last year, the distribution of mature capelin did not spread far east of Denmark Strait, remaining close to its eastern margin. Further, no capelin was found near the western part of the Jan Mayen ridge or further north of 71°N. Juveniles (0-group) of various species, including capelin (although not quantified) were observed along the continental shelf north and northwest of Iceland and along the southwestern portion of the Greenlandic shelf. Immature capelin was found along the Greenlandic shelf, dominating in the southwestern part of the survey area and close to the coast along Denmark Strait (Figure 14).

Figure 13: Capelin. The relative density of acoustic backscatter as NASC during 23 August - 22 September 2025. Survey tracks by r/v Arni Fridriksson, and r/v Tarajoq are shown in different colors.

Figure 14: Capelin. Transects of the participating vessels and proportion mature within samples and regional allocation in assessment during the autumn survey in 23 August–22 September 2025.

The total capelin biomass estimate was 1 209 thous. tonnes and thereof 417.5 thous. tonnes of mature capelin. The immature part was 791 thous. tonnes or 118.7 billion in number, the 5th largest juvenile index in the time series and indicating that the year class 2024 (spawned in spring 2024) is large. Table 6 gives information on the age-disaggregated numbers and biomass of the capelin total stock.

Table 6: Capelin. Estimated total stock size in numbers and biomass (tonnes) by age (in years) and length (cm) from the autumn acoustic survey (23 August to 22 September 2025, see Figure 13).

Category	Length	age1	age2	age3	age4	age5	Total Number	Total Biomass (tonnes)
Immature	8.5	1165	0	0	0	0	1165	3337
Immature	9	3680	0	0	0	0	3680	11877
Immature	9.5	2939	0	0	0	0	2939	10583
Immature	10	5293	0	0	0	0	5293	21200
Immature	10.5	10316	0	0	0	0	10316	44837
Immature	11	8386	0	0	0	0	8386	40235
Immature	11.5	12052	0	0	0	0	12052	63357
Immature	12	12267	0	0	0	0	12267	71473
Immature	12.5	11810	79	0	0	0	11890	76413
Immature	13	10220	79	0	0	0	10300	71446
Immature	13.5	10512	79	0	0	0	10591	80606
Immature	14	11482	316	0	0	0	11798	97963
Immature	14.5	5111	238	79	0	0	5429	49484
Immature	15	3791	477	79	0	0	4347	43612
Immature	15.5	2648	711	0	0	0	3359	36974
Immature	16	676	412	0	0	0	1087	12572
Immature	16.5	446	1027	0	0	0	1474	17682
Immature	17	446	250	79	0	0	776	10291
Immature	17.5	96	397	79	0	0	573	8589
Immature	18	16	430	25	0	0	471	6807
Immature	18.5	0	128	159	0	0	287	5059
Immature	19	0	159	0	0	0	159	2941
Immature	19.5	0	96	0	0	0	96	1791
Immature	20	0	48	79	0	0	128	2701
Mature	8.5	25	0	0	0	0	25	141
Mature	9	78	0	0	0	0	78	508
Mature	9.5	25	0	0	0	0	25	185
Mature	10	356	0	0	0	0	356	2741
Mature	10.5	329	0	0	0	0	329	2899
Mature	11	530	25	0	0	0	555	5608
Mature	11.5	491	126	0	0	0	617	6727
Mature	12	343	178	0	0	0	521	5919
Mature	12.5	511	434	79	0	0	1024	12946
Mature	13	187	665	0	79	0	931	13104
Mature	13.5	231	1079	0	0	0	1310	19810
Mature	14	157	1946	105	0	0	2207	37769
Mature	14.5	25	1651	82	0	0	1758	32437
Mature	15	0	2304	89	0	0	2393	47764
Mature	15.5	0	1404	50	0	0	1455	32198
Mature	16	0	2058	119	0	0	2177	52370
Mature	16.5	0	1168	176	0	0	1344	34923
Mature	17	0	1218	278	0	0	1496	42556
Mature	17.5	0	718	213	16	0	948	28345
Mature	18	0	379	113	41	0	533	17403
Mature	18.5	0	145	147	0	16	308	10889
Mature	19	0	25	64	0	0	89	3342
Mature	19.5	0	0	122	0	0	122	4867
Mature	20	0	0	25	0	0	25	1257
Immature	Total	113351	4929	582	0	0	118861	791828
Mature	Total	3288	15522	1663	137	16	20626	416708

Stock weight at age

The historical trend of mean weight of immature 1 to 3 year old capelin during the autumn survey is shown in Figure 15, as well as the trend of the mean weight of the mature capelin at age 1 to 4 year old in Figure 16. The mean weights have generally increased across all age classes since the 2000s. Estimates for the 4 year old age clas of mature capelin are based on few fish and should be interpreted with caution (Figure 16) and therefore exhibit the most variability in mean weight.

Figure 15: Capelin. Mean weight of 1 to 3 year old immature capelin in autumn surveys since 1978. Colors are indicative of the different age classes and the dash lines represent the average weight for each age group from 1978 to 2025 (highlighted in grey). Lines indicate a loess smoother (smoothing span 50% of the data). Lowest and highest values per class are highlighted with gray and black circles.

Figure 16: Capelin. Mean weight of 1 to 4 year old mature capelin in autumn surveys since 1978. Colors are indicative of the different age classes and the lines represent the average weight for each age group from 1978 to 2025 (highlighted in grey). Lines indicate a loess smoother (smoothing span 50% of the data). Lowest and highest values per class are highlighted with gray and black circles.

Winter surveys 2025/2026

The main objective of the winter surveys is to assess the mature part of the stock using acoustic stock assessment accompanied by pelagic trawl sampling. These surveys are coordinated by MFRI in collaboration with research vessels and commercial vessels normally chartered by MFRI. Scientists from MFRI are normally on board each vessel during the main surveys in January, overseeing and interpreting the acoustic measurements. All participating vessels have calibrated echo sounders, with calibration generally performed shortly before the surveys.

January 2026: exploratory survey

The first winter survey was conducted from 5 to 12 January on the r/v Árni Friðriksson (Figure 17), and was planned as an exploratory survey. The survey tracks were designed to cover strata centred along the east and northeast of Iceland with the objective of evaluating the progression of the capelin migration and assisting with the planning of the larger expedition. During the survey, the majority of the mature capelin (150 thous. tonnes) were found in the north and northeast of Iceland (Figure 17), indicating that the capelin was still in the north and had not migrated southwards. The survey had a relatively high coefficient of variation (CV=0.25) for the mature stock estimate. Table 7 gives information on the age-disaggregated numbers and biomass of the capelin stock components.

Figure 17: Capelin. The relative density of acoustic backscatter as NASC and proportion mature in capelin samples from 5 to 12 of January 2026. Survey tracks are shown in different colors. Proportions below 0.5 are shown as black to green points, while proportions above 0.5 to 1 in light green to yellow, respectively.

Table 7: Capelin. Estimated size of IEGJM capelin immature and mature stock in numbers and biomass (tonnes) by age (in years) and length (cm) from the January acoustic survey (5 to 12 January 2026, see Figure 17).

Category	Length	age2	age3	age4	age5	Total Number	Total Biomass (tonnes)
Immature	8.5	0	9	0	0	9	52
Immature	9.5	19	0	0	0	19	136
Immature	10	38	0	0	0	38	317
Immature	10.5	19	0	0	0	19	159
Immature	11	28	0	0	0	28	244
Immature	11.5	47	0	0	0	47	462
Immature	12	38	9	0	0	47	524
Immature	12.5	57	9	0	0	66	722
Immature	13	9	0	0	0	9	111
Immature	13.5	9	38	0	0	47	630
Immature	14	38	28	0	0	66	922
Immature	14.5	9	47	0	0	57	835
Immature	15	0	47	0	0	47	817
Immature	15.5	0	19	0	0	19	322
Immature	16	0	38	9	0	47	848
Immature	16.5	0	38	0	0	38	740
Immature	17	0	38	0	0	38	811
Immature	17.5	0	9	0	0	9	219
Immature	18.5	0	9	0	0	9	254
Immature	19	0	9	0	0	9	294
Immature	20	0	9	0	0	9	287
Mature	8.5	9	9	0	0	19	106
Mature	12	57	19	0	0	76	834
Mature	12.5	57	104	0	0	161	1910
Mature	13	38	104	0	0	142	1847
Mature	13.5	28	351	0	0	379	5413
Mature	14	28	398	0	0	427	6841
Mature	14.5	9	417	0	0	427	7178
Mature	15	0	967	9	0	976	18468
Mature	15.5	9	758	9	0	777	15773
Mature	16	0	777	38	0	815	17916
Mature	16.5	9	645	28	0	682	16152
Mature	17	9	720	66	9	806	20626
Mature	17.5	0	474	57	0	531	15153
Mature	18	0	332	47	0	379	11607
Mature	18.5	0	171	28	9	209	6738
Mature	19	0	38	9	0	47	1717
Mature	19.5	0	19	19	0	38	1386
Mature	20	0	0	9	0	9	338
Immature	Total	313	360	9	0	682	9704
Mature	Total	256	6303	322	19	6900	150000

January 2026: assessment survey

The second winter survey was conducted from 19 to 26 January 2026 on the research vessels Árni Friðriksson and Þórunn Þórðardóttir, and the fishing vessels Barði, Heimaey, and Polar Ammassak (Figure 18). The survey tracks were designed to cover four strata, centered on the east, northeast, north, and northwest of Iceland. During the survey, the majority of mature capelin were found in the north and east of Iceland (Figure 18). The capelin found furthest northwest of Iceland were immature fish. The mature part of the stock was estimated to be 710 800 t (CV=0.24), where about 55% (382 thous. tonnes) was east of Iceland, following the traditional spawning migration clockwise to the area south and west of the country, and about 45% northwest of Iceland (328 thous. tonnes). It was not clear which direction the mature stock component north of Iceland would migrate, and the third survey was conducted to explore that further (see Section 5.3.3). Table 8 gives information on the age and length disaggregated numbers and biomass of the capelin stock.

Figure 18: Capelin. The relative density of acoustic backscatter as NASC and proportion mature in capelin samples from 19 to 26 of January 2026. Survey tracks are shown in different colors. Proportions below 0.5 are shown as black to green points, while proportions above 0.5 to 1 in light green to yellow, respectively.

The capelin distribution in January 2026 had a similar distribution to that in the winter of 2023 (the parents’ generation). In the 2023 advice on fishing opportunities of the parents’ generation, MFRI proposed that in addition to the total catch limit, precaution should be taken to avoid heavy fishing focused solely on the stock component that followed the traditional spawning route east of the country, where fishing tends to be more efficient. MFRI proposed that two-thirds of the catch limit should focus on capelin offshore from Húnaflói (after the February monitoring survey) to prevent local depletion of diversity in mature stock components. Subsequently, this advice was abandoned when it was considered clear that the capelin to the northwest were returning west for spawning.

Table 8: Capelin. Estimated size of IEGJM capelin immature and mature stock in numbers and biomass (tonnes) by age (in years) and length (cm) from the January acoustic survey (19 to 26 January 2026, see Figure 18).

Category	Length	age2	age3	age4	age5	Total Number	Total Biomass (tonnes)
Immature	8.5	30	0	0	0	30	104
Immature	9	30	0	0	0	30	104
Immature	9.5	50	0	0	0	50	208
Immature	10	139	0	0	0	139	695
Immature	10.5	253	0	0	0	253	1368
Immature	11	265	16	0	0	281	1704
Immature	11.5	321	16	0	0	337	2229
Immature	12	392	0	0	0	392	2903
Immature	12.5	291	0	0	0	291	2314
Immature	13	378	17	0	0	395	3451
Immature	13.5	159	22	0	0	181	1784
Immature	14	171	70	0	0	241	2620
Immature	14.5	77	61	0	0	139	1754
Immature	15	70	134	0	0	204	2763
Immature	15.5	37	97	17	0	151	2301
Immature	16	1	96	0	0	97	1552
Immature	16.5	17	204	16	0	237	3933
Immature	17	0	38	0	0	38	716
Immature	17.5	0	1	0	0	1	21
Immature	18.5	0	28	0	0	28	580
Immature	20	0	0	17	0	17	534
Mature	8.5	0	28	0	0	28	177
Mature	9	28	0	0	0	28	267
Mature	10	116	16	0	0	131	1216
Mature	10.5	98	18	0	0	117	1146
Mature	11	173	220	0	0	393	4282
Mature	11.5	129	238	0	0	367	4394
Mature	12	76	318	0	0	394	5056
Mature	12.5	236	1101	18	0	1356	19296
Mature	13	108	964	0	0	1073	16443
Mature	13.5	37	1578	17	0	1632	26826
Mature	14	69	3408	70	0	3546	63686
Mature	14.5	26	2130	53	0	2209	43853
Mature	15	34	2674	49	0	2758	57472
Mature	15.5	55	4229	162	17	4463	102783
Mature	16	0	2617	311	0	2929	72043
Mature	16.5	0	2713	230	0	2944	76341
Mature	17	0	2831	600	17	3448	98822
Mature	17.5	0	1171	234	0	1405	42704
Mature	18	0	795	191	0	986	31916
Mature	18.5	0	373	280	17	671	22717
Mature	19	0	153	28	0	181	6623
Mature	19.5	0	0	235	0	235	8805
Mature	20	0	43	16	0	59	2478
Immature	Total	2680	801	50	0	3531	33638
Mature	Total	1186	27618	2495	52	31350	709344

February 2026: research survey

A third winter survey was conducted northwest and north of Iceland from 11 to 18 February (Figure 19) on board the r/v Árni Fríðriksson. The main objective of this survey was to investigate the spawning migration and estimate the stock biomass of capelin in the northwest and north of Iceland (Figure 19); this survey was not used in the stock assessment. The survey coverage began west of Dohrnbank with the vessel tracking northward along the slope off the Westfjords all the way to Skagagrunn (Figure 19). Mature capelin were found near the continental slope off Bardagrunn (145 600 t), while immature capelin were found further offshore near the Westfjords, close to drifting sea ice. Almost no capelin was observed north of Skagagrunn.

Table 9 gives information on the age disaggregated numbers and biomass of the capelin stock components.

Figure 19: Capelin. The relative density of acoustic backscatter as NASC and proportion mature within capelin samples during the survey from 11 to 18 of February 2026. Survey tracks are shown in different colors. Proportions below 0.5 are shown as black to green points, while proportions above 0.5 to 1 in light green to yellow, respectively.

Table 9: Capelin. Estimated size of IEGJM capelin immature and mature stock in numbers and biomass (tonnes) by age (in years) and length (cm) from the February acoustic survey (11 to 18 February 2026, see Figure 19).

Category	Length	age2	age3	age4	Total Number	Total Biomass (tonnes)
Immature	8.5	101	0	0	101	416
Immature	9	605	0	0	605	2431
Immature	9.5	605	0	0	605	2693
Immature	10	1110	0	0	1110	5293
Immature	10.5	706	0	0	706	3427
Immature	11	1210	0	0	1210	6726
Immature	11.5	1311	0	0	1311	7518
Immature	12	1210	0	0	1210	7803
Immature	12.5	1110	0	0	1110	7583
Immature	13	2118	101	0	2219	16510
Immature	13.5	1412	101	0	1513	12330
Immature	14	2219	605	0	2824	24625
Immature	14.5	706	101	0	807	7428
Immature	15	1614	101	0	1715	17111
Immature	15.5	1009	303	0	1311	14022
Immature	16	908	605	0	1513	17230
Immature	16.5	504	101	0	605	7424
Immature	17	303	807	0	1110	13881
Immature	17.5	0	504	0	504	7494
Immature	18	202	605	0	807	11959
Immature	18.5	101	303	0	403	6266
Immature	19	0	202	0	202	3286
Immature	19.5	0	605	0	605	10801
Immature	20	0	101	0	101	2360
Mature	8.5	303	202	0	504	4817
Mature	9	303	202	0	504	5558
Mature	9.5	303	0	0	303	3353
Mature	10.5	303	202	0	504	7145
Mature	11	0	634	0	634	9313
Mature	11.5	0	115	0	115	1678
Mature	12	29	303	0	332	5490
Mature	12.5	101	462	0	563	9709
Mature	13	0	346	0	346	6259
Mature	13.5	0	737	0	737	14087
Mature	14	0	403	0	403	8315
Mature	14.5	0	678	15	693	15192
Mature	15	0	333	15	348	8960
Mature	15.5	0	159	15	174	4479
Mature	16	0	131	15	146	4009
Mature	16.5	0	434	29	463	12439
Mature	17	0	161	29	190	5803
Mature	17.5	0	188	44	232	7736
Mature	18	0	29	0	29	984
Mature	18.5	0	174	44	218	7887
Mature	19.5	0	29	15	44	1746
Mature	20	0	0	15	15	620
Immature	Total	19064	5144	0	24208	216616
Mature	Total	1340	5924	234	7498	145578

A one-day second coverage was conducted on the return to Hafnafjörður harbour to investigate the progression of the mature component observed near the continental slope, to assess whether the spawning migration was advancing westward (Figure 20) and to verify consistency between the two coverage estimates. Mature capelin were again found near the continental slope on Bardagrunn (166 500 t), while immature capelin were absent from the second coverage.

Based on these results, approximately 23 % of the mature stock was estimated to have migrated southwest, while the largest portion migrated eastward clockwise around Iceland, to spawn in coastal areas in the south and west. Table 10 gives information on the length disaggregated numbers and biomass of the capelin stock components during the second coverage.

Additionally, the r/v Þórunn Þórðardóttir, conducting a concurrent hydrographic survey around Iceland from 3 to 17 February, also collected acoustic data. Capelin registrations were found mainly along Kögurgrunn and close to drifting sea ice to the northwest; no capelin registrations were found on the Siglunes transect or further north and northeast (figure not shown). Capelin schools were also observed in shallow waters (30-100 m depth) in the south (from Alviðruhamar to Selvogsbanki section).

Figure 20: Capelin. The relative density of acoustic backscatter as NASC and proportion mature within capelin samples during the survey from 18 to 19 of February 2026. Survey tracks are shown in different colors. Proportions below 0.5 are shown as black to green points, while proportions above 0.5 to 1 in light green to yellow, respectively.

Table 10: Capelin. Estimated mature stock size in numbers and biomass (tonnes) by length (cm) from the February acoustic survey (19 February 2026, see Figure 20).

Length (cm)	N (millions)	Biomass (tonnes)
15	124.9	1843
15.5	156.2	2620
16	468.5	8330
16.5	687.2	13894
17	812.1	18741
17.5	1030.8	26353
18	1062.0	30490
18.5	1030.8	32417
19	655.9	22961
19.5	124.9	4902
20	93.7	3909
Total	6247.0	166460

The fishing season 2025/2026

Stock assessment

The initial advice for capelin in the fishing year 2025/2026 was based on measurements of the immature part of the stock in the autumn survey 2024. The measurements resulted in 58.9 billion individuals and initial advice of 46 384 tonnes based on the HCR.

The biomass of the fishable stock (mature part) is estimated based on a combination of autumn (weighted 1/3) and winter measurements (weighted 2/3). The 2025 autumn measurement is based on the survey covering the East Greenland area, resulted in a biomass of 417.5 thous. tonnes (CV=0.20). The January 2026 winter survey measurement for the whole area, northwest to southeast of Iceland yielded a biomass estimate of 710.2 thous. tonnes (CV=0.24). Hence, weighted together, the estimated biomass of the fishable stock (mature) was 612 666 t, which was the starting values of the predation model.

Table 11 give the recruitment index as measured in autumn survey, spawning-stock biomass at the time of spawning at the end of the fishing season, and landings as sum of total landings in the season. Fishing season 1978/79 and 1979/80 are based on historical stock estimates while later values are based on the predation model in current HCR.

Table 11: Capelin. Recruitment index (billions) as measured in autumn survey. Spawning-stock biomass (thous. tonnes) is given at the time of spawning at the end of the fishing season. Landings (thous. tonnes) are sum of total landings in the season.

Season (Summer/winter)	Recruitment	Landings	Spawning-stock biomass
1978/79	0.0	1195	0
1979/80	22.0	980	0
1980/81	23.5	684	106
1981/82	21.0	626	116
1982/83	68.0	0	206
1983/84	44.1	573	338
1984/85	73.8	896	315
1985/86	33.8	1312	156
1986/87	58.6	1334	365
1987/88	21.3	1116	257
1988/89	43.9	1036	139
1989/90	29.2	807	91
1990/91	27.2	313	245
1991/92	60.0	677	203
1992/93	104.6	788	294
1993/94	100.4	1178	307
1994/95	119.0	864	144
1995/96	165.0	930	380
1996/97	111.9	1570	426
1997/98	66.8	1246	272
1998/99	121.0	1100	230
1999/00	89.8	932	120
2000/01	103.7	1071	233
2001/02	101.8	1249	242
2002/03	0.0	988	10
2003/04	4.9	742	109
2004/05	7.9	784	226
2005/06	0.0	247	16
2006/07	44.7	377	217
2007/08	5.7	203	65
2008/09	12.6	150	261
2009/10	15.4	151	261
2010/11	101.2	391	204
2011/12	9.6	747	257
2012/13	19.4	551	301
2013/14	60.7	142	289
2014/15	58.0	518	342
2015/16	5.4	174	336
2016/17	9.2	300	356
2017/18	25.9	287	384
2018/19	11.8	0	166
2019/20	83.3	0	142
2020/21	140.6	129	374
2021/22	85.8	689	510
2022/23	28.7	450	356
2023/24	47.7	0	123
2024/25	58.9	9	184
2025/26	118.7	190	457

Predation model results

Following the completion of surveys 2025/2026, estimations of stock parameters (input parameters are listed in the 2025/2026 advice sheet) and their uncertainties from 100 thousand bootstrap replicates of the mature part of the stock were used as starting values for predation model runs. Results from the predation model runs are given in Table 12 and shown in Figure 22 and Figure 23.

Table 12: Capelin. Quantiles and mean of SSB at time of spawning (15 March) and total predator consumption in tonnes based on the predation model

	mean	5%	25%	50%	75%	95%
SSB	266410	114360	189670	255490	330800	457280
Predation	148230	101360	125450	145240	167880	205070

The predation model (ICES 2023, ICES 2024) is designed to cover predation of cod, haddock and saithe on the main spawning migration of capelin between 15 January and 15 March. A schematic description of the model is shown in Figure 21.

Figure 21: Capelin. Top pannel: the yellow arrows show the migration route with the 3 regions used in the simulations of predation on the capelin migration starting in the east. Bottom pannel: shows a schematic proportional distribution of migrations and catches in the predation model as discretized over 2-week intervals. Catches are shown as fractions below horizontal arrows and clockwise migrations are given as percentages over vertical arrows.

Figure 22: Capelin. Summary of results from the 2025 autumn and winter 2026 acoustic survey and predation model. Biomass survey estimates of mature capelin (top-left), the projected spawning stock biomass left for spawning based on the predation model (top-right), predicted predation 15 January – 15 March (bottom-left) and the applied predation mortality (bottom-right).

Figure 23: Capelin. Predicted development of the SSB with 197 474 catch based on the predation model. Blue line indicates B_lim = 114 000 tonnes (ICES 2023, ICES 2024).

The fishing season 2026/2027

Initial advice

In June 2026, the initial advice for 2026/2027 is above the zero because the index for immature fish from the autumn acoustic survey 2025 was 118.7 billion, and was above the U_trigger value (50 billion). Based on this rule (see Section 10), the initial TAC was 358 044 t for the fishing season starting 15 October 2026 to 15 April 2027 (Figure 24).

Figure 24: Capelin. Catch advice according to the HCR for initial TAC, based on the relationship between final TAC and estimated number of immature capelin the previous autumn. The figure shows the estimated final TAC (black unbroken line) and the initial (preliminary) TAC (blue dashed line). The latter is set using a U_trigger (red vertical line) of 50 billion immature fish, with a cap on the initial (preliminary) TAC of 400 kt. The green lines show the index value from the autumn survey 2025, with the corresponding initial TAC for 2026/2027 shown on the y-axis.

State of the stock

The mature part of the stock (or the fishable stock) was estimated at a median of 418 000 tonnes in the autumn 2025 and 710 200 tonnes in January 2026. The predation model (ICES, 2015), accounting for catches and predation by cod, saithe and haddock between surveys and spawning, estimated an SSB of 266 410 tonnes would be left for spawning in spring 2026 if the HCR were followed (Table 12). Given the uncertainty estimates, there was a 95% probability that at least 114 000 tonnes was left for spawning, if the catches taken amounted to 197 474 tonnes. The acoustic estimate of immature capelin in autumn 2025 was 118.7 billion. The estimate is above the long-term average (Figure 25, Figure 26), and the initial advice for the HCR is 358 044 tonnes for the 2026/2027 fishing season issued by ICES and MFRI in June 2026.

Figure 25: Capelin. Indices of immature 1, 2 and 3 years old capelin from acoustic surveys in autumn since 1979. The dashed line indicates the average for the time series.

Figure 26: Capelin. Index of immature capelin from acoustic surveys in autumn since 1981.

The estimated SSB at spawning time (March-April) has been recalculated for 1981-2025 (Figure 27), using the model adopted in 2015 and 2023, i.e. taking into account uncertainty in the acoustic measurements and using the predation model adopted in 2015. Uncertainty in acoustic measurements was recompiled for the years 2002-2006 and 2012-2014 by recalculating the acoustic indices and bootstrapping the results. Since 2015 uncertainty has been available as the advice was given based on the new HCR. For earlier years, the CV in the acoustic measurements was estimated by looking at survey reports as well as text from Vilhjálmsson, (1994). The estimated CV was in the range of 0.15-0.25 and was included as a lognormal multiplier on available average values from the same sources.

Figure 27: Capelin. Median, 5th and 95th percentile of SSB distribution at spawning time (March-April) since 1981. B_lim = 114 kt.

Uncertainties in assessment and forecast

The uncertainty of the assessment and forecast depends largely on the quality of the acoustic surveys in terms of coverage, conditions for acoustic measurements and the aggregation of capelin (i.e., high patchiness leads to high variance).

The uncertainty is estimated by bootstrapping (see WKICE 2015). The CV for the immature abundance was estimated to be 0.11 in the 2025 autumn survey. The survey had a relatively high coefficient of variation (CV=0.2) for the mature stock estimate. While the autumn survey was affected by time constraints, the distribution of immature and mature components of the capelin stock seemed to have been covered.

Agreed management plan and HCR

The Coastal States (Iceland, Greenland, and Norway) agreed (Anon. 2015; Anon. 2023) to use the following harvest control rule as the basis for management, following the rule developed and revised by ICES (ICES, 2015; ICES, 2023).

The objective of the Harvest Control Rule is to set a final TAC which ensures, with a 95% probability, that a minimum of 114 000t (B_lim) remains for spawning. This is achieved by a series of acoustic surveys from September - February and the TAC is determined in three stages; an initial TAC, an intermediate TAC and a final TAC.

The initial TAC for the next fishing season is set based on estimates of the immature part of the stock following an acoustic survey in autumn (September - October).

Two fixed points are defined:
1. U_trigger = 50 billion immature capelin.
2. TAC_Max = 400,000 tonnes for U > 127 billion immature capelin.
The method for setting the initial/preliminary TAC is:
- TAC = 0 if U_imm < 50 billion.
- TAC = 5.2 x (U_imm - U_trigger) thous. tonnes for U_imm in the range 50–127 billion.
- TAC = 400,000 tonnes if U_imm > 127 billion.
The intermediate TAC for the current fishing season is set following the acoustic survey in autumn. Estimates on capelin spawning stock biomass (SSB) with uncertainty estimate are combined with data on predicted predator stocks size and distribution. The estimates are fed into a predation model run with varying catches until spawning in March. The intermediate TAC is set at 2/3 of the catch giving p(SSB < B_lim = 114 000 tonnes) < 0.05.
The final TAC is set following an acoustic survey in winter (January-February). Estimates on capelin spawning stock biomass with uncertainty estimate are combined with data on predicted predator stocks size and distribution. Final TAC is set based on all valid acoustic surveys on the mature part of the stock from autumn to winter. The estimates are fed into a predation model run with varying catches until spawning in March. The final TAC is set at the catch giving p(SSB < B_lim = 114 000 tonnes) < 0.05. After ICES (2023), it was decided that the autumn survey is weighted a maximum of 1/3.

Reference points

Framework	Reference points	Value	Technical basis	Source
Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) approach	MSY B_escapement	Not defined*
Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) approach	F_MSY	Not defined
Precautionary approach	B_lim	114 000	B_lim = B_loss, the average of the three lowest spawning-stock biomass (SSB) estimates which led to average recruitment (in 1981, 1982, and 1990); in tonnes	ICES (2023)
Management plan	B_mgt	114 000	From the management plan; in tonnes	Anon. (2015) and revised in Framework arrangement… (2023)
Management plan	U_trigger	50	From the management plan; immature index value; in billions	ICES (2015)
Management plan	Cap	127	From the management plan; immature index value; in billions	ICES (2015)

MSY B_escapement has not been defined, as the escapement strategy uses directly the >95% probability of SSB being above B_lim

Management considerations

Over the years, the fishery has been closed during April–late June and the season has started in July/August or later, depending on the state of the stock.

Areas with high abundances of juvenile age 1 and 2 capelin (on the shelf region off NW-, N- and NE-Iceland) have usually been closed to the summer and autumn fishery.

It is permissible to transfer catches from the purse seine of one vessel to another vessel, in order to avoid slippage. However, if the catches are beyond the carrying capacity of the vessel and no other vessel is nearby, slippage is allowed. In recent years, reporting of such slippage has not been frequent. Industrial trawlers do not have the permission to slip capelin in order to harmonize catches to processing.

In Icelandic waters, fishing with pelagic trawl is only allowed in a limited area off the northeast coast (fishing in January) to protect juvenile capelin and to reduce the risk of affecting the spawning migration route.

As a precautionary measure to protect juvenile capelin, the coastal states (Iceland, Greenland and Norway) agreed that fishing shall not start until 15 October (in effect since 2021).

History of management of the stock

Since the early 1980s the stock was managed according to an escapement strategy, leaving 400 000 tonnes for spawning. Uncertainty of the estimates was not considered.

A new HCR and management plan were developed at an ICES benchmark meeting in 2015 and adopted the same year (ICES, 2015). The main changes involved accounting for uncertainty in the measurements and in the predation on the capelin stock up to the spawning period. At the ICES benchmark meeting in 2022 (ICES, 2023), minor adjustments were made, which the coastal states meeting agreed to base the advice on. Among other things, these changes included lowering the B_lim from 150 000 tonnes to 114 000 tonnes (Figure 28).

Figure 28: Capelin. Initial TAC, agreed final TAC, and catch by fishing season as reported to ICES.

Table 13 shows the TAC and advice history for capelin in the IEGJM area since 1981. The table includes the year, the initial TAC set based on the autumn survey, the intermediate TAC set based on the predation model and autumn survey, and the final TAC set based on all available surveys and the predation model. The table also includes the reported catch for each year.

Table 13: Capelin. TAC and advice history for capelin in the IEGJM area since 1986.

Fishing year	Initial TAC	Rec. final TAC	Final TAC	Total catch
1986/1987	1 100 000	1 333 400	1 290 000	1 334 000
1987/1988	500 000	1 115 800	1 115 000	1 117 000
1988/1989	900 000	1 036 500	1 065 000	1 036 000
1989/1990	900 000	807 800	900 000	808 000
1990/1991	600 000	313 600	250 000	313 000
1991/1992	0	677 100	740 000	677 000
1992/1993	500 000	787 700	900 000	788 000
1993/1994	900 000	1 178 700	1 250 000	1 179 000
1994/1995	950 000	863 900	850 000	864 000
1995/1996	800 000	929 300	1 390 000	926 000
1996/1997	1 100 000	1 570 900	1 600 000	1 569 000
1997/1998	850 000	1 244 900	1 265 000	1 245 000
1998/1999	950 000	1 099 400	1 200 000	1 100 000
1999/2000	866 000	1 000 000	1 000 000	931 000
2000/2001	650 000	1 110 000	1 090 000	1 070 000
2001/2002	700 000	1 300 000	1 300 000	1 249 000
2002/2003	690 000	1 000 000	1 000 000	989 000
2003/2004	555 000	875 000	900 000	743 000
2004/2005	335 000	985 000	985 000	784 000
2005/2006	0	238 000	235 000	247 000
2006/2007	0	385 000	385 000	377 000
2007/2008	207 000	207 000	207 000	203 000
2008/2009	0	0	0	15 000
2009/2010	0	150 000	150 000	151 000
2010/2011	0	390 000	390 000	391 000
2011/2012	366 000	765 000	765 000	748 000
2012/2013	0	570 000	570 000	551 000
2013/2014	0	160 000	160 000	142 000
2014/2015	225 000	580 000	580 000	517 000
2015/2016	53 600	173 000	173 000	173 500
2016/2017	0	299 000	299 000	297 732
2017/2018	0	285 000	285 000	287 000
2018/2019	0	0	0	0
2019/2020	0	0	0	0
2020/2021	169 520	127 300	127 300	128 647
2021/2022	400 000	869 600	869 600	689 200
2022/2023	400 000	459 800	459 800	330 051
2023/2024	0	0	0	0
2024/2025	0	8 589	8 589	9 439
2025/2026	46 384	197 474	197 474	190 086
2026/2027	358 044

Ecosystem considerations

Capelin is an important forage fish and its dynamics are expected to have implications for the productivity of its predators.

The importance of capelin in the East Greenlandic marine ecosystem is not well documented. However, the research effort has increased considerably during autumn surveys towards evaluation of capelin’s role in the ecosystem e.g. by research on feeding of capelin, estimates of prey availability, predators’ distributions and environmental monitoring (Petursdottir et al., 2026, Sigurðsson et al., 2026, Singh et al., 2026).

In Icelandic waters, capelin is the main item in the diet of Icelandic cod, a key prey for several species of marine mammals and seabirds and also important as food for several other commercial fish species (see e.g. Vilhjálmsson, 2002, Singh et al., 2023). Diet studies of cod from the groundfish survey in March clearly demonstrate the importance of capelin in its diet, while also showing the variability in capelin availability between years (Figure 29). The relative frequency of capelin in cod stomachs showed interannual variability, and in some cases matched the different dynamics of the winter migration as observed in the February 2026 portion of the mature stock, which was migrating westwards (Figure 29).

Figure 29: Capelin. The proportion of capelin in cod diets in the population measurement of demersal fish (SMB, takes place at the same time as the capelin spawns) in March 1993–2026, shown as a relative capelin fill based on stomach samples (yellow and red when the share of capelin is high).

References

Anon. 2015. Agreed Record of Conclusions of Coastal State consultations on the management of the capelin stock in the Iceland–East Greenland–Jan Mayen area. 2015. Reykjavík, Iceland. 7–8 May 2015. https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/37b66bdf33d84e99924bb27553641719/samledokument-lodde-mai-2015---agreed-records---bilateral-avtale.pdf Last accessed: 31 May 2025.

Anon. 2023. Framework arrangement between Greenland and Iceland on the conservation and management of capelin. 2023. Reykjávik, Iceland 3 July 2023. 4 pp. https://www.althingi.is/altext/pdf/154/fylgiskjol/s1655-f_I.pdf Last accessed: 31 May 2025.

Bardarson, B, Heilman, L, Jonsson, SÞ and Jansen, T 2024. Cruise report of acoustic assessment of the Iceland-East Greenland-Jan Mayen capelin stock in the autumn 2024. Kver Hafrannsóknastofnunar. KV2024-10. 18 pp.

Bardarson, B, Gudnason, K, Singh, W, Petursdottir, H, & Jonsson, SÞ (2021). Loðna (Mallotus villosus). Í Guðmundur J. Óskarsson (ritstj.), Staða umhverfis og vistkerfa í hafinu við Ísland og horfur næstu áratuga. Haf- og vatnarannsóknir, HV 2021-14, 31–34.

Christiansen, JS, Præbel, K, Siikavuopio, SI, Carscadden, JE 2008. Facultative semelparity in capelin Mallotus villosus (Osmeridae)-an experimental test of a life history phenomenon in a sub-arctic fish, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Volume 360, Issue 1, 2008, Pages 47-55, ISSN 0022-0981, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2008.04.003.

Engilbertsson, V, Óskarsson, GJ and Marteinsdóttir, G (2012). Inter-annual Variation in Fat Content of the Icelandic Capelin. ICES CM 2013/N:26.

Gjøsæter, H, Bogstad, B, and Tjelmeland, S 2002. Assessment methodology for Barents Sea capelin, Mallotus villosus (Müller). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 59: 1086–1095.

Gudmundsdottir, A, and Vilhjálmsson, H 2002. Predicting Total Allowable Catches for Icelandic capelin, 1978–2001. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 59: 1105–1115.

Gudmundsdottir, A, and Sigurdsson, Th 2014. Growth of capelin in the Iceland-East Greenland-Jan Mayen area. NWWG 2014/WD:29.

ICES. 2015. Report of the Benchmark Workshop on Icelandic Stocks (WKICE), 26-30 January, 2015. ICES Headquarters. ICES CM 2015/ACOM:31. 335 pp.https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.5295

ICES. 2023. Benchmark workshop on capelin (WKCAPELIN). ICES Scientific Reports. 5:62. 282 pp.https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.23260388

ICES 2024. Capelin (Mallotus villosus) in subareas 5 and 14 and Division 2.a west of 5°W (Iceland and Faroes grounds, East Greenland, Jan Mayen area). ICES Advice: Recurrent Advice. Report. https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.advice.25663980.v1

Jansen, T, Hansen, FT, Bardarson, B 2021. Larval drift dynamics, thermal conditions and the shift in juvenile capelin distribution and recruitment success around Iceland and East Greenland. Fisheries Research, 236.

MFRI. 2024. State of Marine Stocks and Advice 2024, advice on capelin. Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, 11 October 2024.

Petursdottir H, Jansen T, Silva T et al. 2026. Diet composition and feeding behavior of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in the changing Iceland–East Greenland–Jan Mayen ecosystem. Rev Fish Biol Fish, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-025-10022-3.

Sigurðsson GM, Víkingsson G, Chosson V et al. 2026 Spatiotemporal co-occurrence of whales and capelin on the east Greenland shelf during autumn. Mar Biol, 173(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-025-04778-2.

Singh, W, Ólafsdóttir, AH, Jónsson, SÞ, Óskarsson, GJ 2023. Capelin in a changing environment. Haf- og vatnarannsóknir, HV 2023-43. https://www.hafogvatn.is/static/research/files/capelin_2023_eng.pdf

Singh W, Giorgi E, Jónsson S et al. 2026. Habitat characterization of capelin along East Greenland: insights from hydrographic conditions and feeding distribution patterns. Rev Fish Biol Fish, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-025-10019-y.

Vilhjálmsson, H 1994. The Icelandic capelin stock. Capelin, Mallotus villosus (Müller), in the Iceland– Greenland–Jan Mayen area. Rit Fiskideildar, 13: 281 pp.

Vilhjálmsson, H 2002. Capelin (Mallotus villosus) in the Iceland–East Greenland–Jan Mayen ecosystem. ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil, 59: 870–883.

Vilhjálmsson, H 2007. Impact of changes in natural conditions on ocean resources. Law, science and ocean management 11, 225.

Glossary

Abbreviations and indices used in the report:

Term	Definition
B_lim	Biomass limit reference point (114 000 tonnes for capelin); the minimum spawning stock biomass that should be maintained with 95% probability
CV	Coefficient of Variation; a measure of uncertainty or variability in survey estimates
HCR	Harvest Control Rule; the agreed management strategy used by coastal states to set TAC based on stock estimates
IEGJM	Iceland–East Greenland–Jan Mayen area; the management area for this capelin stock
MFRI	Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (Iceland)
MSY	Maximum Sustainable Yield
MSY B_escapement	Maximum Sustainable Yield escapement biomass; the spawning stock biomass that would produce the maximum sustainable yield
NASC	Nautical Area Scattering Coefficient; acoustic measurement unit used in fish acoustic surveys
NWWG	ICES Northwestern Working Group
PSE	Purse Seine; a fishing gear type
PGT	Pelagic Trawl; a fishing gear type
SSB	Spawning Stock Biomass; the estimated total weight of mature fish available for spawning
TAC	Total Allowable Catch; the maximum permitted catch for a fishing season
TAC_Max	Maximum TAC cap (400 000 tonnes) applied when immature stock is very high
U_imm	Abundance index of immature capelin from acoustic surveys (measured in billions)
U_trigger	Trigger point for immature stock (50 billion); threshold used in HCR for setting initial TAC
WKCAPELIN	ICES Benchmark Workshop on Capelin in 2022; a scientific meeting to review and update the assessment and management of the capelin stock