Iceland is a member of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, NAFO and the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, NEAFC. The Icelandic state also has special agreements with the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Norway and Russia regarding fishing by Icelandic vessels within their jurisdictions.
Icelandic fishing vessels are permitted to fish from shared stocks in the jurisdictions of other states in accordance with agreements that have been made.
Shared stocks are migratory stocks that travel between jurisdictions and therefore fishing grounds for example blue whiting, mackerel and Norwegian-Icelandic herring.
Fishing permits and conditions in foreign jurisdictions
When fishing in the jurisdictions of other states, the rules set by each state for fishing must be followed. Captains are obliged to familiarise themselves with the regulations in force at any given time in the area where fishing is taking place.
The Directorate of Fisheries applies for fishing permits in the jurisdictions of other states in cooperation with Fisheries Iceland, SFS.
A vessel heading for deep-sea fishing needs:
a general fishing permit.
a permit to fish in the intended area.
a fishing permit for the fish species to be caught.
Regulations and useful information
Information on fishing permits, closing of fishing areas and current regulations
Regulation no. 432/2017 on fishing control in the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) agreement area
Regulation no. 501/2021 on the (1st) amendment to regulation no. 432/2017 on fishing control in the Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) Agreement Area.
Regulation no. 11/2015 on the protection of coral reefs in the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) agreement area
Regulation no. 175/2015 on the use of bottom fishing gear in the agreement area of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)
Regulation no. 433/2013 on the control of fishing in the agreement area of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) outside the jurisdiction of countries
Regulation no. 341/2014 on (1st) amendment to regulation no. 433/2013, management of fishing in the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) agreement area outside the jurisdiction of countries
Regulation no. 611/2014 on (2nd) amendment to regulation no. 433/2013, on the control of fishing in the agreement area of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) outside the jurisdiction of countries
Regulation no. 431/2013 on the management of fishing for deep-sea species in the agreement area of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)
Regulation no. 339/2014 on (1st) amendment to regulation no. 431/2013, on the management of fishing for deep-sea species in the agreement area of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)
