The Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture has decided on total catches in Icelandic waters for the next fishing year, 2017/2018, which will begin 1 September. The cod quota is increased to 257,572 tonnes from 244,000 tonnes. There is also an increase in quota for haddoc, from 34,600 to 41,390 tonnes, and saithe from 55,000 to 60,237 tonnes. It should be noted that the catch quota for important pesticides will be decided in the autumn.The decision is in accordance with the scientific advice of the Marine Research Institute. The decision on catch quotas is taken after consultation with stakeholders in the fisheries sector, the government, and members of parliament.
Iceland Responsible Fisheries Foundation (IRFF), on behalf of its members and the fishing community of Iceland, is pleased to announce that the Iceland Responsible Fisheries Management Chain of Custody Standard, revision 3.0, is now available for a 60 day public and stakeholder comment period, 8 May - 6 July 2017.
Iceland Responsible Fisheries (IRF) took part at the Seafood Expo Global in Brussel 25-27 April. Many people showed up at the IRF booth for information and discussions about promotion of seafood, and certification. This year more than 30 companies from Iceland participated at the expos.
DILL restaurant in Reykjavik is Iceland's very first restaurant to be awarded Michelin star. In addition to awarding the first Michelin star to DILL, the 2017 Michelin Guide mentions four other restaurants in Iceland: Grillid at Hotel Saga, Vox at Hilton Hotel Nordica, Gallery at Hotel Holt, and Matur & Drykkur wich received a Bib Gourmand award.
Walmart has accepted third-party certification schemes that have been recognized by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI).
On 6 December 2016, a promotion on the Icelandic salted cod was held at L. De Medici International Institute in Ottaviano, in southern Italy. The promotion is a part of the marketing project Bacalao de Islandia.
Madrid Fusión is one of the biggest and the most important conference for the horeca sector in Spain, held annually in Madrid. The marketing project Bacalao de Islandia participated in Madrid Fusión for the second time, where around 10,000 guests attended to follow new trends and innovations in the food and restaurant industry.
Global Trust/SAI Global has made available the 2nd Surveillance reports for haddock and saithe fisheries. The unit of certification includes the Icelandic commercial fisheries of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and saithe (Pollachius virens) under state management by the Ministry of Industries and Innovation, fished within Iceland´s Exclusive Economic Zone.
On 8 November 2016 the GSSI Steering Board announced its recognition of the IRFM Certification Programme.