Börkur lands 2,100 tonnes of capelin in three hauls as processing in Neskaupstaður passes 10,000 tonnes during a strong season
Börkur Delivers Major Landing After Strong Fishing Day
Börkur NK arrived in Neskaupstaður yesterday afternoon with 2,100 tonnes of capelin, landed in three hauls during what the crew described as one of the season’s most successful fishing days. Processing began immediately and is expected to continue for around 40 hours.
Skipper Hjörvar Hjálmarsson said the trip exceeded expectations. The catch was taken about ten miles northwest of Heimaey, with the first haul producing 120 tonnes and the remaining two delivering roughly 1,000 tonnes each. Fishing was completed in a single day, with the first haul taken before noon and the final work finished by half past six.
Hjálmarsson described ideal conditions, with shoals visible at the surface and several other vessels in the area also reporting good results. He said the capelin quality was excellent, with about 60 percent carrying roe at 19 to 20 percent maturity. According to him, the season has been so successful that “it could hardly be any better”.
Processing Plant Surpasses 10,000 Tonnes of Frozen Capelin
Síldarvinnslan’s Neskaupstaður processing plant has been operating continuously since the first capelin of the season arrived on 20 January. More than 10,000 tonnes have now been frozen, including 3,600 tonnes destined for Asian markets. Of that volume, about 2,100 tonnes are Japanese‑grade capelin with roe content above 15 percent.
Freezing of Japanese‑grade capelin began on 12 February and is approaching completion. Representatives from Japanese buying companies arrived earlier in the month and have been present throughout the production period to monitor quality and specifications.
Shift Toward Roe Processing as Season Advances
Once the freezing of Japanese‑grade capelin concludes, the plant expects to move into roe processing within days. Roe production can only begin once the roe content reaches at least 20 percent and the roe begins to loosen in the sac, the benchmark required for high‑value roe markets.
Operations manager Geir Sigurpál Hlöðversson and quality manager Karl Rúnar Róbertsson say the season has run exceptionally smoothly to date. They credit the plant’s experienced workforce, who have been working at full pace to keep up with landings and ensure high‑quality output. Both believe the remainder of the season looks strong.
Productivity Has Advanced Dramatically Over Five Decades
For context, Síldarvinnslan first froze capelin for export in 1971, producing 104 tonnes that year. Today, the plant can freeze the same quantity in just over three hours, highlighting the scale and technological advancement of Iceland’s modern capelin fishery.
