Iceland’s total fish catch fell to 123,138 tonnes in April 2026, down 12% from the same month last year. The drop was driven mainly by lower pelagic landings, according to new figures from Statistics Iceland.
Pelagic catch reached 83,705 tonnes in April. That was also 12% lower year-on-year. Blue whiting made up almost the entire pelagic catch at 83,682 tonnes. Blue whiting landings fell 12% from April 2025.
Pelagic volumes still strong over 12 months
Despite the April decline, Iceland’s pelagic fisheries showed strong growth over the past 12 months.
Total pelagic catch from May 2025 to April 2026 reached 699,102 tonnes. That was 34% higher than in the previous 12-month period.
Capelin drove much of the increase. Capelin catch surged to 151,841 tonnes, up from 5,551 tonnes a year earlier. Mackerel catch rose 45% to 129,621 tonnes. Herring landings increased 18% to 170,453 tonnes.
Demersal catch is also lower
Demersal catch in April totalled 37,186 tonnes. That was down 12% from April 2025. Cod landings fell 16% to 15,603 tonnes. Redfish and saithe also declined.
Over the full 12-month period, demersal catch dropped 6% to 401,713 tonnes. Flatfish catch fell 8% to 20,834 tonnes.
Blue whiting remains dominant
Blue whiting remained Iceland’s largest pelagic species in April by a wide margin.
No herring or capelin catch was recorded during the month. Mackerel landings were limited to just 23 tonnes.
Statistics Iceland said total catch for the 12 months reached 1.13 million tonnes, up 15% year-on-year.