The recruitment of cod and haddock on the Faroe Shelf and the Faroe Bank is likely influenced by ocean currents

According to a recent scientific article published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, the answer may possibly be found in the open ocean areas.

Warm Atlantic water, which influences the Faroe Shelf, contains less nutrients (a prerequisite for growth) and zooplankton than the colder water found in the subpolar gyre and the East Icelandic Current (see figure).

The mixing of subarctic water from these sources therefore has a nourishing effect on the Atlantic water — and probably on the Faroe Shelf as well.

The years when recruitment was not clearly reflected in the size of the stock coincided with a weak subpolar gyre and/or a weak East Icelandic Current.

Between 2002 and 2014, there was little subarctic water around the Faroe Islands, and the conditions for both birds and fish on the Faroe Shelf were very poor.

The inflow of subarctic water increased after 2014, and following this change, the amount of cod on the Faroe Bank grew significantly. In addition, the amount of haddock increased both on the Faroe Bank and on the Faroe Shelf.