Exploitation of Atlantic Salmon in Iceland

Abstract

In Iceland, 80 rivers and river systems hold Atlantic salmon. The fishing takes place almost exclusively by rod and line and by gill nets mainly in 3 glacial rivers. The average annual catch for the last 20 years has been about 55,000 salmon averaging about 190 metric tons including returns of ocean ranched salmon. The average rod catches were most often between 25.3-34.6%, except for the Blanda where the rod catch was 64.9% on average for the 4 year study period. The average rod catch for 42 years in the Ellidaar is 34.6%.