Faroese trawlers land 42% of total cod catch

Faroese trawlers have landed 42% of the total cod catch in Faroese waters this year, according to the latest catch statistics published by the Faroese Marine Research Institute (Vørn).

The figures, updated as of 10 July, show that vessels in group 5A accounted for 26% of the catch, while those in group 5B landed 16%. The statistics are notably higher than usual, reflecting both strong fishing conditions and favorable catch prices.

Fisheries Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen has indicated plans to allocate additional fishing days to group 5, citing the sustained productivity. The decision follows a parliamentary resolution from November 2025, which mandated an evaluation of increasing fishing days for group 5B. Nielsen, then a member of parliament for the Union Party, co-proposed the measure.

The proposal has drawn criticism from the Marine Research Institute, processing plants, and trawler associations, who argue that bypassing the established quota adjustment plan could jeopardize the Faroese fisheries’ MSC certification—a critical factor for market access and pricing.