Life in the Sea

The sea around Iceland is relatively shallow and currents from different sources meet there, which makes it a good environment for fishing. There are about three hundred indigenous species of fish off the shores of Iceland, and many more that come there by chance. Of these, there are about twenty species (not including lobster and shrimp) that form the bulk of the catches that are the basis of the country's economy. It is interesting to note that 19 species of shark and 15 species of skate inhabit the seas around Iceland. Buried shark is a national speciality. It has a very strong smell and the flavour is probably not to everyone's taste but shark liver oil is rich in vitamins and Omega 3. Monkfish, dab, plaice and halibut are expensive gourmet fish.

The Seabed

Salmon

Salmon is not caught in Icelandic marine waters but only in rivers, and almost exclusively by anglers. On the other hand, salmon are farmed in sea pens and on fish farms - with hundreds of tons put on the market each year.

Mammals
Sea mammals are common off the shores of Iceland. There are thousands Grey Seals, 40 - 50 thousand Common or Harbour Seals and at least 15 species of whale. Life on the seabed off Iceland is diverse and colorful. The sea is usually crystal clear. Probably the most unusual life forms are found at sites where submarine geothermal activity occurs. Hot water and various substances spout from cracks in the rock or from tube-like formations, and feed organisms that can survive in temperatures of up to 130°C and do not need oxygen.

Adapted from "Iceland - The Republic", Handbook published by the Central Bank of Iceland, ed. by Mr. Jóhannes Nordal and Mr. Valdimar Kristinsson, Reykjavik 1996. The Ministry is responsible for the adapted texts.