Barents Sea Capelin (Mallotus villosus)
19.03.2013 // The Barents sea capelin stock is currently strong, and is harvested sustainably with a precautionary harvest control rule. The capelin stock is assessed by the ICES, using an assessment model specially designed for this stock.
The model takes into consideration the capelin consumed by cod during the period between the time of the survey when the capelin stock is measured in autumn, until spawning in late spring.
The capelin fishery was closed from 2003 to 2008, as the spawning stock was below 200 000 tons, even in the absence of a fishery. In 2009 the capelin fishery was reopenedand there has been a fishery since. Today this is potentially the largest capelin stock in the world. For 2013 the quota was set to 200 000 tons.