Faroese cod stocks remain low but show slight improvement

Cod stocks around the Faroe Islands remain at historically low levels, though surveys show a modest increase compared to last year, according to the Faroese Marine Research Institute (Havstovan).

Research vessel Jákup Sverri conducted this year’s annual spring survey of Faroese waters, recording 92 trawl hauls. While cod numbers were slightly higher than in 2025, they remain significantly below long-term averages, Havstovan reported. The cod caught were also relatively small.

Stomach content analysis revealed a diet primarily of Norway pout and crabs, with almost no herring—a notable shift from previous years. Haddock stocks were described as “fairly large,” consisting mostly of small fish, and were in better condition than in past surveys. Pollock and golden redfish were caught in small quantities, while ling was scarce. As in recent years, almost no spawning capelin were found.