CAPELIN

Mallotus villosus


Assessment report
Published by

Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Iceland

Published

02 November 2026

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.

  • The capelin spawning stock biomass was estimated to be of 566.2 thousand tonnes in the 2026 autumn survey. Taking into account the measurement, the estimated predation on the capelin stock, and the coastal states harvest control rule, the capelin catch for the 2026/2027 fishing year shall not exceed 105 773 tonnes.

  • The total biomass estimate in the autumn survey of 2026 was of 1 022 thousand tonnes. The index of the abundance of juvenile capelin is 65.9 billion, indicating that the year class 2025 (spawned in spring 2025) is above Utrigger.

  • The autumn survey in 2026 was able to cover the main areas of the stock. However was not able to cover the areas north of 71ºN due to weather constrains and sea ice. The coverage in the northernmost section was therefore coarse, with high measurement uncertainty, and likely did not cover the entire distribution area of the capelin.

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). 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). The migrations of capelin contribute a huge transfer of energy into the ecosystem of the Icelandic continental shelf.

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 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, Figure 4). 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. Spatial distribution of capelin catches by gear type (PGT = Pelagic Trawl and PSE = Purse Seine), 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, and further decreased until 2009 (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

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 1 Age 2 Age 3 Age 4 Age 5 Total number Total weight
1986 0 0.1 9.8 6.9 0.2 17.0 391.8
1987 0 0.0 6.9 15.5 0.0 22.4 560.5
1988 0 0.0 23.4 7.2 0.3 30.9 657.2
1989 0 0.1 22.9 7.8 0.0 30.8 665.1
1990 0 1.4 24.8 9.6 0.1 35.9 686.8
1991 0 0.5 7.4 1.5 0.0 9.4 202.4
1992 0 2.7 29.4 2.8 0.0 34.9 621.1
1993 0 0.2 20.1 2.5 0.0 22.8 489.6
1994 0 0.6 22.7 3.9 0.0 27.2 567.1
1995 0 1.3 17.6 5.9 0.0 24.8 539.8
1996 0 0.6 27.4 7.7 0.0 35.7 723.6
1997 0 0.9 29.1 11.0 0.0 41.0 797.6
1998 0 0.3 20.4 5.4 0.0 26.1 481.3
1999 0 0.5 31.2 7.5 0.0 39.2 658.9
2000 0 0.3 36.3 5.4 0.0 42.0 830.3
2001 0 0.4 27.9 6.7 0.0 35.0 787.2
2002 0 0.1 33.1 4.2 0.0 37.4 955.0
2003 0 0.1 32.2 1.9 0.0 34.4 648.0
2004 0 0.6 24.6 3.0 0.0 28.3 542.9
2005 0 0.1 31.5 3.1 0.0 34.7 692.0
2006 0 0.1 10.4 0.3 0.0 10.8 230.0
2007 0 0.3 19.5 0.5 0.0 20.3 376.8
2008 0 0.5 10.6 0.4 0.0 11.5 202.4
2009 0 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.7 15.1
2010 0 0.7 5.3 0.9 0.0 6.9 150.7
2011 0 0.1 16.2 0.6 0.0 17.0 385.2
2012 0 0.6 25.0 6.1 0.0 31.8 674.4
2013 0 0.3 12.1 9.7 0.2 22.3 541.0
2014 0 0.1 4.8 1.3 0.0 6.1 141.8
2015 0 0.3 17.5 4.7 0.1 22.7 471.9
2016 0 0.4 5.5 2.0 0.0 8.0 171.1
2017 0 0.4 5.4 4.1 0.1 10.0 299.8
2018 0 0.6 10.4 0.9 0.0 11.9 286.5
2019 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2020 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2021 0 0.0 4.8 0.3 0.0 5.2 129.4
2022 0 0.2 22.6 1.5 0.0 24.3 612.1
2023 0 0.0 7.9 9.2 0.1 17.2 445.2
2024 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2025 0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 9.3
2026 0 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 10), 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.

Figure 10: 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

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 11). 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 11). 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 11: 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 12). 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 12: Capelin. Mean weight at age by cohort of the capelin observed in the catches as deviations from the long term average.

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 2026

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 2026 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 71°4´N, also covering the Denmark Strait and the slope off northwest Iceland. The Iceland Sea and Jan Mayen area were not scouted due to time constraints and for the same reason hydrographic measurements and zooplankton sampling were limited due to bad weather conditions.

In general, weather conditions and drift ice limited the coverage of the survey vessels north of 71ºN regions and a lack of information on bottom topography occasionally affected routes and limited the extent of transects towards the Greenlandic coast (Figure 13). Severe weather forced changes to the initial survey tracks, and sea ice constrained the survey, so we could not zero out capelin distribution. While the coverage in most of the survey area was in accordance with plans and considered adequate, the northernmost area could not be fully surveyed due to drift sea ice and storm conditions. Mature capelin were present in the northernomst part of the area covered, close to the sea ice (Figure 13, Figure 14). Hence, underestimation of the mature stock is likely but to an unknown degree.

Maturing capelin was mainly observed dominating in the center and northeastern part of the survey area along the east Greenland coast (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. On the contrary to last year, the distribution of mature capelin did not spread far east in the Denmark Strait, but were observed close to its western margin. 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 were found along the Greenlandic shelf, dominating in the southwestern part of the survey area and close to the coast along the Denmark Strait (Figure 14).

Figure 13: Capelin. The relative density of acoustic backscatter as NASC during 23 August - 27 September 2026. Survey tracks by r/v Arni Fridriksson, and r/v Tarajoq are shown in different colors.
Figure 14: Capelin. Transects of the participating vessels, proportion mature within samples (0-0.97) and regional allocation in assessment (colorus of grid cells) during the autumn survey in 23 August–27 September 2026.

The total capelin biomass estimate was 1 022 thous. tonnes and thereof 566 thous. tonnes of mature capelin. The immature part was 456 thous. tonnes or 65.9 billion. 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 27 September 2026, see Figure 13).
Category Length age1 age2 age3 age4 Total Number Total Biomass (tonnes)
Immature 8.5 897 0 0 0 897 2553
Immature 9 4278 0 0 0 4278 13930
Immature 9.5 7727 69 0 0 7796 33240
Immature 10 10768 0 0 0 10768 49824
Immature 11 11564 0 0 0 11564 65497
Immature 11.5 9058 207 0 0 9265 60446
Immature 12 5584 700 0 0 6284 45565
Immature 12.5 2291 927 0 0 3218 26747
Immature 13.5 604 1630 0 0 2234 22311
Immature 14 414 2266 0 0 2680 30397
Immature 14.5 37 2148 106 0 2291 29329
Immature 15 0 2136 0 0 2136 30155
Immature 16 0 1609 111 0 1720 28232
Immature 16.5 0 460 0 0 460 8542
Immature 17 0 212 0 0 212 4450
Immature 17.5 0 74 0 0 74 1624
Immature 18.5 0 37 0 0 37 716
Immature 19 0 37 0 0 37 1068
Immature 20 0 0 27 0 27 968
Mature 8.5 69 0 0 0 69 469
Mature 9 276 0 0 0 276 2056
Mature 10 69 0 0 0 69 531
Mature 10.5 69 503 0 0 572 6018
Mature 11.5 0 1864 0 0 1864 21800
Mature 12 27 3002 37 0 3065 40673
Mature 13 0 3752 244 0 3996 59188
Mature 14 0 4153 270 0 4423 74524
Mature 14.5 0 3112 328 69 3509 66211
Mature 15.5 0 4205 461 69 4735 100396
Mature 16 0 2041 381 0 2423 56609
Mature 17 0 1566 397 0 1963 51338
Mature 18 0 870 133 0 1004 29872
Mature 18.5 0 807 101 69 976 32205
Mature 19.5 0 244 144 0 388 14576
Mature 20 0 117 138 0 255 9710
Immature Total 53221 12511 244 0 65975 455594
Mature Total 510 26237 2633 207 29587 566176

During the survey on board r/v Arni Fridriksson, marine mammal sightings were also recorded, with humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and dolphins being the most frequently sighted. A full survey report will be published in the MFRI report series (Haf- og vatnarannsóknir), providing further details.

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 class 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 2026 (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 2026 (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.

Stock proportion at age

The acoustic estimate of immature capelin in autumn 2026 was 65.9 billion. The estimate is above the long-term average (Figure 17, Figure 24). The initial advice for the HCR for the 2027/2028 fishing season will be issued by ICES and MFRI in June 2027.

Figure 17: 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.

The acoustic estimate of mature capelin abundance in autumn 2026 was 29.6 billion. The estimate is below the long-term average (Figure 18) however there were some constrains due to weather and sea ice that limited the coverage of the mature part of the survey. Hence, underestimation of the mature stock is likely but to an unknown degree.

Figure 18: Capelin. Indices of mature 1 to 5 years old capelin from acoustic surveys in autumn since 1979. The dashed line indicates the average for the time series.

Predation model results

Following the completion of the autumn survey 2026 (Section 5.2), and estimation of stock parameters (input parameters are listed in the 2026/2027 intermediate advice sheet) and their uncertaintiesi, 100 thousand bootstrap replicates of the mature part of the stock were used as starting values for predation model runs. The median starting value of fishable stock was 566 200 tonnes (CV = 0.19) and comes from the results of the 2026 autumn survey. Results from the predation model runs are given in Table 7 and shown in Figure 20 and Figure 21.

Table 7: 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 275990 114010 197580 266260 344180 470200
Predation 134940 89630 113180 132280 153820 189680

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 19.

Figure 19: 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.

The predation model (ICES 2023, ICES 2024) applies to the part of the capelin stock that migrates clockwise around Iceland. In most years, the majority of the stock has taken this route, and nearly all of the catch has been taken from this part of the stock. It is assumed that the entire capelin stock is in the east by January 15th, and by March 15th the entire capelin stock is assumed to spawn in the south and southwest, with a higher proportion in the southwest. The predators (cod, haddock and saithe) are assumed to be distributed according to their mean distribution in the March groundfish survey from 1985 up to last year. The total numbers in the predator stocks are based on a projection for the current year from the previous years assessment.

Figure 20: Capelin. Summary of results from the 2025 autumn 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 21: Capelin. Predicted development of the SSB with 158 660 catch based on the predation model. Blue line indicates Blim = 114 000 tonnes (ICES 2023, ICES 2024).

An overview of the historical values of the mature capelin stock (the fishable stock), the projected spawning stock biomass left for spawning based on the predation model, predicted total predation 15 January – 15 March each year and applied predation mortality by cod, haddock and saithe is shown in Figure 22.

Figure 22: Capelin. Overview of results from 1980 to 2026 acoustic survey and predation model. Biomass survey estimates of mature capelin (top-left, input), the projected spawning stock biomass left for spawning based on the predation model (top-middle), predicted total predation 15 January – 15 March (top-left) and applied predation mortality by cod (bottom-left), haddock (botton-middle) and saithe (bottom-rigth).

The fishing season 2026/2027

Initial advice

In June 2026, the initial advice for 2026/2027 was above the zero because the index for immature fish from the autumn acoustic survey 2025 was 118.7 billion, and was above the Utrigger 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 23).

Figure 23: 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 Utrigger (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.

Intermediate advice

The assessment utilized acoustic measurements of mature stock biomass from September 2026 (see section Section 5.2), and accounted for the abundance of multiple predators in the predation model. The assessment indicates that the goal of the harvest control rule is met with the proposed catch of leaving at least 114 000 t for spawning with a 95% probability is reached with catch of 158 660 tonnes. The intermediate TAC is 2/3 of that catch, or 105 773 tonnes,for the fishing season starting 15 October 2026 to 15 April 2027.

State of the stock

The mature part of the stock (or the fishable stock) was estimated at a median of 566 200 tonnes in the autumn 2026. . The predation model (ICES, 2015), accounting for catches and predation by cod, saithe and haddock between surveys and spawning, gives a median SSB of 275 990 tonnes left for spawning in spring 2027 if the HCR were followed (Table 7). Given the uncertainty estimates, there a 95 % probability that at least 114 000 tonnes will be left for spawning, if the catches taken amount to 105 773 tonnes. The final advice for the 2026/2027 fishing season will be issued by MFRI and GIRN in January- February 2027.

The acoustic estimate of immature capelin in autumn 2026 was 65.9 billion. The estimate is above the long-term average (Figure 24), and the initial advice for the 2027/2028 fishing season will be issued by ICES and MFRI in June 2027.

Figure 24: Capelin. Index of immature capelin from acoustic surveys in autumn since 1981.

The estimated SSB at spawning time (March-April) has been recalculated for 1981-2026 (Figure 25), 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 25: Capelin. Median, 5th and 95th percentile of SSB distribution at spawning time (March-April) since 1981. Blim = 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 ICES 2015). The CV for the immature abundance was estimated to be 0.11 in the 2026 autumn survey. The survey had a relatively low coefficient of variation (CV=0.19) for the mature stock estimate.

Coverage in most of the survey area was in accordance with the survey plan and considered adequate. However, the northernmost area could not be fully surveyed due to sea ice and adverse weather. Mature capelin was present in this area, and the northern limit (zero line) of the distribution was not reached. Underestimation of the mature stock is therefore likely, although to an unknown degree.

The 18 kHz transducers were not calibrated on either vessel, which made it difficult to separate immature capelin from 0-group capelin using multifrequency information. This introduces some uncertainty in the distribution of immature capelin, but it is not expected to affect the assessment results, as the 38 kHz is used for estimation and not the 18 kHz.

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 (Blim) 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.

  1. 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. Utrigger = 50 billion immature capelin.

    2. TACMax = 400 000 tonnes for U > 127 billion immature capelin.

    The method for setting the initial/preliminary TAC is:

    • TAC = 0 if Uimm < 50 billion.

    • TAC = 5.211702 x (Uimm - Utrigger) thous. tonnes for Uimm in the range 50–127 billion.

    • TAC = 400 000 tonnes if Uimm > 127 billion.

  2. 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 < Blim = 114 000 tonnes) < 0.05.

  3. 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 < Blim = 114 000 tonnes) < 0.05. Following the ICES benchmark (2023), the autumn survey is given a maximum weight of 1/3.

Reference points

Framework Reference points Value Technical basis Source
Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) approach MSY Bescapement Not defined*
Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) approach FMSY Not defined
Precautionary approach Blim 114 000 Blim = Bloss, 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 Bmgt 114 000 From the management plan; in tonnes Anon. (2015) and revised in Framework arrangement… (2023)
Management plan Utrigger 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 Bescapement has not been defined, as the escapement strategy uses directly the >95% probability of SSB being above Blim

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 according to records. 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 Blim from 150 000 tonnes to 114 000 tonnes (Figure 26).

Figure 26: Capelin. Initial TAC, agreed final TAC, and catch by fishing season as reported to ICES.

Table 8 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 8: 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 the role of capelin 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 27). 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 27).

Figure 27: 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

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Glossary

Abbreviations and indices used in the report:

Term Definition
Blim 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 Bescapement 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
TACMax Maximum TAC cap (400 000 tonnes) applied when immature stock is very high
Uimm Abundance index of immature capelin from acoustic surveys (measured in billions)
Utrigger 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