Herring population shifts near Iceland linked to climate change, say Nordic scientists

Recent movements in the herring population near Iceland are likely linked to climate change, according to Nordic scientists. They believe it is improbable that herring will completely vanish from Icelandic waters in the near future.

Herring, which is used for fish feed and oil production, also finds its place in human food, with herring roe being a sought-after delicacy in Japan. In the past, the behavior of herring in Icelandic fishing zones was relatively predictable, but it has become increasingly difficult to forecast their distribution recently.

During the last fishing season, no herring quota was issued as the Marine Research Institute struggled to locate the fish. A recent study by Icelandic and Danish researchers analyzed herring distribution changes due to climate influences, focusing on shifts in salinity, currents, and temperatures.

Herring has been observed in the Greenland Strait, where significant changes in distribution and migratory patterns have been noted. The main feeding areas have shifted from the waters around Iceland to the eastern shores of Greenland at the beginning of this century. Additionally, the arrival time of spawning herring in northern Iceland has been delayed since 2003.

Kristinn Guðnason, a co-author of the study, indicated clear connections between climate change and the species’ movements, particularly in cold and cool-temperate waters. He emphasized that the unique ocean conditions around Iceland involve warm southern waters meeting cold northern currents.

Due to these conditions, experts think it unlikely that herring will disappear from Icelandic fishing areas in the foreseeable future. However, scientific uncertainty persists, and potential for further changes in marine environments must be acknowledged, warranting more research in Icelandic waters.