Deep sea fishing

Icelandic fishing vessels may fish from the dividing stocks under the jurisdiction of other countries in accordance with agreements made.

Divided stocks are nomadic populations that travel between jurisdictions and thereby fishing areas. Examples of divided stocks are the Atlantic redfish, mackerel, blue whiting and Norwegian Icelandic herring.

Iceland is a member of:

• Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)

• North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)

• Iceland also has a special agreement with Russia and Norway on the fishing of Icelandic vessels in the Barents Sea within their jurisdiction.

Fishing licences and rules in foreign jurisdictions

If a vessel intends to go offshore fishing, it must be ensured that the vessel has:

• general fishing permit

• catch permit in the type of fish to be taken

• have permission to fish in the area

The Directorate of Fisheries handles the issuing of fishing licences for fishing in jurisdictions in other countries and tries to publish references to the main rules that apply in the fishing areas.