Íslenskar landbúnaðarrannsóknir - 01.09.1978, Page 7

FOREWORD
During the eleven centuries of the in-
habitation of Iceland, freshwater fisheries
have contributed to keep this nation
supplied with food. In most instances the
harvest of the fish was low until after the
first world war. Since then, with growing
urbanization, improved communication,
and the use of more effective fishing gear,
fishing pressure has increased greatly.
The freshwater fisheries remained, how-
ever, practically uncontrolled until a
comprehensive freshwater fisheries law
was passed in 1932.
This law prohibits fishing for salmon in
the sea, and salmon are included with the
freshwater fishes in Iceland for regulatory
purposes. It also greatly restricted fishing
for migratory fishes in the rivers by con-
trolling daily, weekly, and annual fishing
time, the types and number of fishing gear
allowed, and, at a later date, the
maximum number of rods to be used at
any time in the rivers.
Fishing rights in Iceland are privately
owned. In 1934 a law was passed which
created fishery associations on every river
or river system, with the function of man-
aging the local fishery. All holders of the
fishing rights on a river became members
of the association.
The freshwater fisheries law of 1932
provided for a governmental authority for
promulgation of regulations of the
fisheries. In accordance with the law, an
Advisory Freshwater Fisheries Council,
Veidimálanefnd, was established in 1933. In
1946 the Institute of Freshwater Fisheries,
Veidimálastofnun, was established and a Di-
rector of Freshwater Fisheries, Veidi-
málastjóri, was appointed. In addition to
management of freshwater fisheries at a
governmental level, the work of the Insti-
tute includes the collection of fisheries
statistics, distribution of information and
consultation on fisheries matters, besides
research on freshwater fishes and their en-
vironment, and research on fish cultural
techniques. Many published reports and
intern short papers have resulted from the
research. The activities of the Institute
have been increasing steadily over the
years, especially during the last decade.
Also under the Director of Freshwater
Fisheries is a government-operated ex-
perimental fish cultural station at Kolla-
fjördur north of Reykjavík which was es-
tablished in 1961. At the station there are
facilities for production and release of
salmon smolts into the sea and capture of
fish returning to the ponds as mature sal-
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