Iceland’s national cod quota for this fishing year, which was 130,000 tonnes, is over 90 percent finished with fully two months left. On the other hand, a quarter of the allotted haddock catch remains. Read the full story

There are strong indications that the Icelandic cod stock is in much better condition than reported last year. Read the full story

There has been a massive decrease in discard rates for cod and haddock in the Icelandic fishing industry in the years since measurement began in 2001. According to new Marine Research Institute figures, the discard rate is now 0.5 percent, down from 1.5 percent two years ago. Read the full story

The 2008 cod stock in Icelandic waters was the strongest it has been since annual research trips began in the autumn of 1996; but preliminary figures this year are slightly less optimistic. Read the full story

A landmark decision has seen Danish fishermen announce that they plan to adhere to internationally recognised standards for marine stewardship – thus ending years of wrongful catches and over fishing. Read the full story

Despite the vocal protests of the Swedish government, Greenpeace has started its plan to drop large boulders into the Kattegat sound between the Danish and Swedish shores in a bid to stop bottom trawling by cod fishermen. The global activist group will toss 180 boulders that weigh between one and three tonnes each into two endangered cod areas in the Kattegat. Read the full story

“Stop buying cod except that which comes from the Arctic Ocean or from Iceland.” These are the words of an appeal from the independent French seafood organisation, L’Alliance produits de la mer. Read the full story

“This is of course very positive news. This is the best news we’ve had in a long time,” says Fridrik J. Arngrimsson, managing director of LIU (The Federation of Icelandic Fishing Vessel Owners). His joy is closely related to the results of the newest Icelandic Marine Research Institute survey, which gives a brighter outlook for cod stocks than had been expected. Read the full story

The recovery of the dwindling cod stocks in the North Sea is a major conservation issue for many nations involved in the regional fishing trade. The EU recently confirmed its proposal for sustainable fishing in the North Sea for 2009. The bloc is meeting with Norway this week to come to a mutual agreement, as Norway and the EU jointly police fishing in the North Sea. Read the full story