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HADDOCK Melanogrammus aeglefinus

Haddock is caught all around Iceland and throughout the year. The best grounds are off the west coast of Iceland and fishing is presently best in the winter months. Haddock spawns in April/May, mainly off the south, southwest and west coast after which the mature fish disperse for feeding.

Haddock is mainly caught by bottom trawl, longline and gillnet. Haddock is a bottom feeder and is usually caught at depths of 10 - 200 m. The most common age of the catch is 4 - 6 years weighing 1 - 2 kg.

The total fishable stock (3 years and older) was at the beginning of 2007 estimated at 300,000 tonnes and the spawning stock at 164,000 tonnes. Recruitment to the haddock stock tends to show great fluctuations but has been strong in most of the recent years.

Historically, haddock catches have varied from 40,000 - 85,000 tonnes annually in the last 30 years, with an average of close to 50,000 tonnes.

The total haddock catch by Icelandic vessels in Icelandic waters was 97,000 tonnes in the calendar year 2006, which was the highest for 40 years. TAC set for the fishing year 2006/2007 was 105,000 tonnes. For the 2007/08 fishing year the TAC is 100,000 tonnes, close to recommendations.

The diagram shows the development of the annual haddock catch since 2001 together with the recommendations of the MRI and the set TAC.
Favourite of Icelanders Haddock is the fish most often eaten fresh or bought frozen by the Icelanders. This may have historical origins since cod, the most abundant fish, was very often eaten salted. The annual domestic consumption of haddock is close to 5,000 tonnes based on catch weight, or 5% of landings. This equals an annual per capita consumption of 16 -17 kg of haddock.