Cod Certified

• GADUS MORHUA
• CABILLAUD
• KABELJAU
• BACALAO
• BACALHAU
• MERLUZZO
• ÞORSKUR

Size

The common size of cod in the catch is in the range of 55 to 90 cm. Cod can grow quite large; the largest individual measured in Icelandic waters was 17 years old and 186 cm long.

Catch

The total catch of Icelandic cod in 2021 was 262,790 tonnes, as compared to 267,778 tonnes in 2020. The Total Allowance Catch (TAC) for the quota year 2022/2023 is 208,846 tonnes.

Icelandic cod - catch 2016-2021 (tonnes) - Source: Statistic Iceland

Season

The Icelandic cod is caught throughout the year.

Fishing gear

Cod is caught all around Iceland and mostly at depths of 100-250 m and ocean temperatures of 4-7 °C. The most important fishing grounds are off the south western coast, off the Westfjords and off the south eastern coast. Fishing is driven by market conditions and managed according properties of the fish which can differ between fishing grounds and season.

Fishing grounds

The cod is caught all around Iceland, mostly at depths of 100-250 m and ocean temperatures of 4-7 °C. The most important fishing grounds are off the south western coast, off the Westfjords and off the south eastern coast. Fishing is driven by market conditions and managed according to properties of the fish which can differ between fishing grounds and season.

Icelandic cod - Catch by fishing grounds in 2017 - Source: Marine Research Institute

Products

Over the past decade the trend has been to increase the share of fresh and chilled products in Icelandic cod exports. Large volumes are also exported frozen or salted. Considerable effort has also been put into the development of valuable products from formerly low value by-products, this includes dried heads and protein for human consumption as well as high value products for use in cosmetics and for medical purposes.

Markets

The main markets for Icelandic cod are the France, UK and Spain. Other important markets include the USA and Portugal.

Nutrition facts

Nutritional information for raw Cod - Per 100g edible portion:

Certification of the Icelandic Cod

The Icelandic cod fishery was certified in 2010 to the FAO-based Iceland Responsible Fisheries Management Certification Programme. The certification covers all sectors of the Icelandic cod fishery within the 200-mile EEZ for all fishing gears. A chain of custody certification programme has been implemented to allow handlers to demonstrate traceability back to a certified fishery. The certification is an independent third-party certification. The certification confirms responsible fisheries management and good treatment of marine resources.