Minister submits bill to guarantee 48-day coastal fishing season

Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, Minister of Industry, has submitted a bill that would allow coastal fishing to continue for a full 48 days this summer, even if the total allowable catch is exceeded. The proposal is a departure from current legal obligations and responds to political pressure from the People's Party, which emphasized the 48-day season during the last parliamentary elections.

Under current law, the Fisheries Directorate is required to halt coastal fishing once the total allowable catch, as defined by an annual regulation set by the minister, is reached. In recent years, this limit has typically been met by July, effectively cutting the season short.

The new bill proposes that the Directorate not be required to stop coastal fishing during the 2024/2025 season, even if the quota is reached early. This change would help ensure the full 48-day fishing period takes place.

Cod quota unsustainable at current levels

Currently, the coastal fishing cod quota stands at 10,000 tonnes—an amount deemed unsustainable. If the daily maximum catch of 774 kg remains unchanged and fishing activity mirrors that of the previous year, then the quota will likely need to be increased to allow for the full 48-day season. However, no additional fishing authorizations are currently available.

To address this, the minister would be granted authority to temporarily increase the quota for the 2024/2025 season. Any extra catch volume would be deducted from future quotas and must be fully returned by the 2028/2029 fishing year.

Long-term policy underway

The bill also signals the government's intent to develop long-term policy changes to secure 48-day coastal fishing seasons in the future. A more permanent legislative proposal is expected in the next parliamentary session and would take effect in the 2026 season.

The bill emphasizes that any temporary increase in quotas must remain within sustainable limits and not significantly exceed the advice of the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute. The proposed measures must also align with the core principles of the fisheries management system, including sustainability.

Between the 2019/2020 and 2023/2024 fishing years, cod catches exceeded the Institute’s recommended limits by a total of 51,000 tonnes—equivalent to 4.35% of the advised total catch during that period.