The MFRI (Marine and Freshwater Research Institute) in Iceland and the GINR (Greenland Institute of Natural Resources) have begun their joint 2025 capelin autumn survey which will continue until 22 September.
The research vessel Tarajoq, on behalf of the GINR and the research vessel Árni Friðriksson plan to sail 7,850 nautical miles over the survey period.
The purpose of the survey is to estimate the abundance of both the immature and mature parts of the capelin stock in the Iceland-East Greenland-Jan Mayen area (IEGJM). A similar survey was conducted in 1978.
Since 2018, the survey has been adapted into an ecosystem survey; allowing researchers to collect and gain further information on capelin biology and the surrounding pelagic ecosystem. It involves sampling and measurements of phytoplankton, mesozooplankton, macrozooplankton, pelagic fish species and the physical environment in the area.
This year MFRI has increased the contribution to ecological studies with the participation of four whale observers, two on each vessel.
It is expected that the results of the capelin measurements will be available around mid-October. MFRI will then release revised fishing advice for the upcoming fishing year (2025/2026).
To track the vessels and see the whale count visit the MFRI website.
