Climatic/human impact on hydro - biological conditions in Icelandic waters

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The paper includes information on hydro-biological variability in Icelandic waters during the period 1952-2000 with some remarks to pan-North Atlantic climatic conditions. Different hydrographic conditions in Icelandic waters and their impact on biological conditions are outlined. Attention is drawn to the up and down trends in the stocksize and catches of Icelandic cod in relation to hydrographic conditions, as well as to the general overall downward trend in the stock during the period 1952-2000 when yearly catches declined from 400-500 thousand tonnes to 150-250 thousand tonnes. It is stated that climatic variations alone cannot be blamed, the human involvement of different consequences of fishing load must as well be considered. At last thoughts are given to operational oceanography and predictability of ocean climate for use in fish stock assessment