Capelin processing and blue whiting catches gather pace as pelagic fleet land strong early-season volumes at Síldarvinnslan. Photo by Smári Geirsson/Síldarvinnslan
Strong Start For Capelin Processing In Neskaupstaður
The Síldarvinnslan fish processing plant in Neskaupstaður has received 3,300 tonnes of capelin so far this season, with operations described as running smoothly.
The first landing arrived on 20 January from the Greenlandic vessel Polar Amaroq, followed by further deliveries from Barður NK and Polar Ammassak. Polar Amaroq has since returned with a second landing.
Geir Sigurpál Hlöðversson, operations manager at the plant, said processing performance had met expectations. “It has been going well. The capelin is the best and there has been little separation. What is separated goes to processing into meal and fish oil,” he said.
All capelin landed to date has been caught using trawls, but that is expected to change shortly as the fleet prepares to shift fishing methods. “All the capelin that has come to us so far has been caught in trawls, but now the ships are taking nets and soon the seine fishing will begin in the shallows south of the country,” Geir Sigurpál said.
Processing of the latest cargo from Polar Ammassak was completed overnight, with the plant now undergoing a full clean-down ahead of the next phase of the season. According to Geir Sigurpál, there is cautious optimism within the workforce. “People here are optimistic and hopefully the weather will not disrupt the seine fishing south of the country,” he said.
Record Blue Whiting Haul For Beitir NK
Alongside the capelin season, blue whiting fishing has also delivered notable results. From Monday 2 February, Beitir NK landed in Neskaupstaður on Thursday evening with 3,000 tonnes of blue whiting caught in Faroese waters close to the UK boundary.
The catch was taken in five hauls, with individual tows ranging from 300 tonnes to 840 tonnes. Skipper Tómas Kárason described the trip as exceptional. “The catch was taken in five hauls and towing time ranged from six hours up to sixteen hours. The catch per haul was from 300 tonnes up to 840 tonnes. This 840-tonne haul is the largest blue whiting haul I have taken in my career as a skipper,” he said.
Tómas added that fishing conditions changed towards the end of the trip. “Towards the end the fishing eased slightly and it seemed the fish were moving into British waters,” he said.
Beitir NK is now preparing to switch focus to capelin, with gear changes already under way. “Today the capelin seine will be taken on board Beitir and everything is being prepared for capelin fishing. Everyone on board is excited for the capelin season and spirits are high,” Tómas said, noting that crew numbers increase from eight during pelagic trawling to twelve when seine fishing begins.
Further Activity On Blue Whiting Grounds
Börkur NK is also active on the blue whiting grounds south of the Faroe Islands and was reported to have 1,700 tonnes on board at the latest update. The continued strong catches underline the pace of activity across the pelagic fleet as both blue whiting and capelin seasons move forward simultaneously.
