Iceland’s fishing industry has raised fresh concerns about how 2026 fishing fees are being calculated, warning that flawed methods could push charges well above their proper level.
The criticism follows new figures published by the Directorate of Fisheries (Fiskistofa) and a ministerial notice setting next year’s per-kilo fees.
At the heart of the dispute is the claim that higher fees are meant to “correct” fish prices. Industry representatives argue that this correction is built on weak data and lacks transparency.
They say the tax authorities must clearly show what the fees would have been under the old law before the increase can be judged fairly.
Temporary rule hides the full increase
A temporary rule reduces the published fees for 2026. Fees are set at 85% of the calculated level next year, rising to 95% in 2027 and 100% later.
For example, cod will be charged ISK 50.79 per kilo in 2026, but without the rule, it would be ISK 59.75. The same pattern applies to haddock, herring, blue whiting, and mackerel.
Critics say this softens the shock in the short term, but also masks how steep the real increase is meant to be.
Prices are said to be overstated
Another key issue is how average fish prices are calculated. Fiskistofa bases its figures primarily on fish sold ungutted at market, rather than on the full catch.
Because ungutted fish often sells for more, the average price rises. For cod alone, this method adds around ISK 36 per kilo compared with using the full catch mix.
Industry groups say this directly leads to higher fees than are justified.
Norway used as a price reference
For pelagic species, fees are linked to Norwegian prices, which authorities describe as “world market prices”. The industry rejects this, pointing out that a monopoly sales system shapes Norway’s prices and does not reflect Icelandic conditions.
They argue that taxing Icelandic fisheries on this basis is unfair and misleading.