Excess catch

Once the landing has been registered in the Directorate of Fisheries' landing system, the quantity is compared with the vessel's quota status. If a vessel does not have catch quota for the catch, it will go into deficit (going red). 

Vessels with an excess catch

• The vessel operator will receive a notification in the operator's inbox on Ísland.is that the vessel is in excess catch.

• The vessel operator has four working days to rectify the situation. If the catch quota status is not mended within that time, it may result in the suspension of the fishing permit.

• The vessel may not engage in commercial fishing until the catch quota status has been mended.

  • Please note that it is prohibited to begin a fishing trip unless the vessel has catch authorisations that are likely to be sufficient for the catch on that trip.

The catch quota status of individual vessels can be monitored on the data pages of the Directorate of Fisheries.

Excess catch in coastal fishing

A maximum of 650 kg of gutted catch, measured in cod equivalents, may be landed per fishing trip. If the catch from a fishing trip exceeds this amount, it is considered an excess catch in coastal fishing.

• Surplus catches from coastal fisheries are subject to a special fee based on the average price of catches at the time of fishing. 

• The fee is collected after each month and shall be paid to the Fisheries Project Fund. 

• All surplus catch from coastal fishing is deducted from the total quantity allocated to coastal fishing.

• Saithe landed during coastal fishing and specifically marked as a coastal fishing catch in the Fisheries Project Fund does not count towards excess catch.

  • It is mandatory to land this catch at a fish market, and the vessel operator receives 80% of the catch's value after deducting harbour fees and auction costs.