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PLAICE, Pleuronectes platessa
DAB, Limanda limanda
LONG ROUGH DAB, Hippoglossoides platessoides
LEMON SOLE, Microstomus kitt
WITCH, Glyptocephalus cynoglossus
HALIBUT, Hippoglossus hippoglossus

Apart from Greenland halibut there are a number of flatfish stocks of importance in the Icelandic fisheries, including plaice, dab, long rough dab, lemon sole, witch and halibut. All these stocks are fully utilized by the Icelandic fleet and TACs have been established for them in recent years.

Plaice Pleuronectes platessa

The plaice catch was 6.400 tonnes in 2006. Most of the catch is 5-6 years old fish, 35-40 cm long. Plaice is fished by Danish seine and bottom trawl. The abundance index for the fishable stock showed a decline in the past decade but the stock seems to have improved slightly. TAC for the fishing year 2007/2008 is 6,500 tonnes but the Marine Research Institute (MRI) recommended that fishing should be limited to 5,000 tonnes in the period.

The diagram shows the development of the plaice catch since 2001 together with recommendations by the MRI and the set TAC.

Dab
Catch of dab was 1,100 tonnes in 2006. Dab is mainly fished by Danish seine and in a fairly restricted area off the south coast of Iceland. The TAC is 1,500 tonnes for the 2007/2008 quota year, whereas the MRI recommended that fishing be limited to 500 tonnes. 

Long rough dab
The fishery for long rough dab is relatively recent and mainly carried out by Danish seine off the west and south coast of Iceland. Landings were 700 tonnes in 2006. The TAC is 1,000 tonnes for the 2007/2008 quota year, whereas the MRI recommended that fishing be limited to 500 tonnes. 

Witch
The witch catch was 2,000 tonnes in 2006, fished chiefly by Danish seine. A TAC of 2,400 tonnes has been set for the 2007/2008 fishing year, while MRI recommended 2,000 tonnes.

Lemon sole
Landings of lemon sole were 2,700 tonnes in 2006, the highest for many years. The fishery is mainly carried out by Danish seine off the southwest coast. Too little is known about recruitment and yield for accurate recommendations but a  TAC of 2,200 tonnes has been set in 2007/2008, while the MRI recommended 1,600 tonnes.

Halibut
Halibut has in recent years been fished by bottom trawl, long-line and Danish seine. Landings in 2006 were 550 tonnes. The abundance index for halibut has fallen sharply in recent years, the stock seems to be severely depleted and recruitment into the spawning stock is at a low level. Direct fishing effort for halibut is now prohibited in line with MRI recommendations but it is utilized as a bycatch. The MRI also recommends closure of areas to minimize catch of small fish. 

Latest update July 2007