veiðir

Veiðir is a term found in Icelandic-language sources that refers to hunting and fishing activities. It derives from veiði, the act of catching game or fish, and in older or dialectal usage veiðir sometimes appears as a plural form or within compound expressions. In everyday modern Icelandic, veiði or veiðar are more common for the activities themselves, while veiðir is mainly seen in historical writing, regional speech, or formal/legal phrasing.

Usage and scope: The word can denote the collection of hunting and fishing activities within a community or season, and may appear in names of groups or areas associated with these activities. It is closely linked to the regulation of access to land and waterways, and to systems of licenses, quotas, and seasonal restrictions that aim to ensure sustainable use of wildlife and fish stocks.

Regulation: In Iceland, hunting and fishing are governed by national authorities and local land and water rights. Licenses are often required, and seasons and quotas are set for conservation. Enforcement authorities oversee compliance, and scientific stock assessments inform policy and permitting decisions.

Cultural aspect: Hunting and fishing have deep historical roots in Icelandic culture as subsistence practices and later as recreational and economic activities. Today veiðir-related traditions appear in rural life, sport fishing, and regional livelihoods, and are reflected in literature and place names.

See also: veiði, veiðar, fiskveiðistjórn, fiskistofa, umhverfisstofnun.