Marine mammals have been subject to extensive conservation and protection measures over the past five decades. In 1972, the United States adopted legislation restricting imports of marine mammal products, while the European Economic Community introduced restrictions on certain seal products in the 1980s. In 1986, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) implemented a moratorium on commercial whaling. These measures were largely introduced in response to historical overexploitation of marine mammal populations and growing concerns about animal welfare.
Since then, many marine mammal populations have experienced reduced hunting pressure, allowing some species and populations to recover and expand their distribution. However, recovery has varied considerably between species and regions.
According to preliminary estimates, approximately 14.5 million seals and 7.7 million whales and other cetaceans inhabit the North Atlantic and Arctic regions. Their combined annual food consumption has been estimated at nearly 200 million tonnes, compared with approximately 10 million tonnes harvested annually by commercial fisheries in the Northwest and Northeast Atlantic (FAO Fishing Areas 21 and 27). These figures highlight the substantial role of marine mammals in North Atlantic marine ecosystems and raise important questions about their interactions with commercially exploited fish stocks and fisheries.
Marine Mammals, Fisheries and Ecosystem Interactions
With many marine mammal populations continuing to benefit from conservation measures, their interactions with commercial fisheries are attracting increasing attention. In some regions, marine mammals compete with fisheries for certain prey species, damage fishing gear, remove fish from fishing operations and create operational challenges for fishing vessels. Such interactions can have economic consequences for the seafood industry and coastal fishing communities. However, the relationships between marine mammals, commercial fish stocks and marine ecosystems are complex and remain insufficiently understood. Marine mammals are integral components of marine food webs, and their ecological roles extend well beyond predator–prey interactions. For example, whales contribute to nutrient cycling through the so-called whale pump, which can enhance nutrient availability and stimulate primary productivity. Large whales may also contribute to carbon storage and transport, while marine mammals more broadly influence food-web dynamics, ecosystem structure and biodiversity. A better understanding of these interactions is essential for developing science-based approaches to fisheries management, marine mammal conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources.
Project Objectives and Activities
To promote knowledge exchange and informed dialogue on these issues, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ working group on fisheries and aquaculture (AG fisk) launched a two-year networking project in 2026. The project aims to establish a network of researchers, fisheries professionals and other stakeholders across the North Atlantic to share knowledge and data, identify knowledge gaps, analyse available scientific evidence and communicate findings to policymakers, industry representatives and the general public. The project will facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange through workshops, conferences and stakeholder meetings. This website will serve as a platform for sharing project updates, scientific findings, relevant publications and information about upcoming activities.
A particular emphasis will be placed on engaging fishing communities and industry stakeholders. Meetings will be organised in selected coastal communities, where project partners will present available scientific knowledge, discuss practical experiences and engage in dialogue with fishers and other local stakeholders. By bringing together scientific expertise and practical knowledge, the project seeks to improve understanding of the ecological, economic and societal implications of marine mammal–fisheries interactions. The resulting knowledge will support informed discussions and evidence-based decision-making concerning fisheries management, marine mammal conservation and the future of North Atlantic fishing communities.
At the conclusion of the project, a final report will be published in the Nordic Council of Ministers’ TemaNord publication series.
Upcoming Events – Reykjavík, 4–5 November 2026
The project will organise two events in Reykjavík, Iceland, in November 2026:
4 November 2026 – Project Workshop
A workshop will be held at Matís in Reykjavík, bringing together researchers, fisheries professionals and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge and discuss the interactions between marine mammals, commercial fish stocks and fisheries.
5 November 2026 – Conference Session
A dedicated conference session will be organised in conjunction with the Icelandic Seafood Conference, providing an opportunity to present scientific findings, discuss management challenges and engage with a broader audience from the seafood sector.
The draft programme for both events is available here.
Registration:
- Workshop (4 November): Please register by contacting jonas@matis.is.
- Conference (5 November): Registration is through the Icelandic Seafood Conference website.
