Biology and distribution

The Greenland halibut is currently the most valuable flatfish species in Icelandic waters, but it is a deep-water species, mainly found in the cold waters to the west, north and east of Iceland, a very different distribution from the other flatfish species. The Greenland halibut can be found in cold waters all around the Arctic, both on the Atlantic as well as on the Pacific side. Greenland halibut in East Greenlandic, Icelandic and Faroese waters are considered to be the same stock.

The Greenland halibut is a large flatfish and can reach up to 1.2 m in length. It has a dark grey colour on both sides, as opposed to other flatfish species that are dark on one side and white on the other. In fact the Greenland halibut is the least “flatfishy” of the Icelandic flatfishes. Not only is the colouration different but the location of the eyes are also different. All other flatfishes have both eyes on the same side but one eye of the Greenland halibut is located on the top of the fish. This suggests that the Greenland halibut is not as benthic in habits as other flatfishes. That is, it swims more in the water column. It can be found over a wide depth range in or from 200 to 2,000 m depth, but usually below 400 m. Most of the fisheries are conducted at about 500 m depth on the edge of the continental slope north and east of Iceland. It spawns in deep waters in the middle of the Denmark Strait where considerable catches are also taken. It reaches sexual maturity art the age of 9 to 12 years.

As can be seen from the large mouth and sharp teeth, the Greenland halibut is a predatory fish. Its main food is capelin but eelpouts (Lycodes spp), Pandalus shrimp and Northern ambereye shrimp (Hymenodora glacialis) are also common prey.

Greenland halibut fishing grounds in 2007 (tonnes/nm2). All gear combined. Dark areas indicate hihghest catches.

Source: The Marine research Insittute