One of the UK-flagged pelagic vessels operated by Dutch fishing company Vrolijk is switching from the UK to the French flag.
Previously operated as the Atlantic Lady and originally built as Wiron 1 for Jaczon, the trawler becomes the Label Normandy under its new French registration and has been sold by North Atlantic to Fécamp company SPES Armement.
France Pélagique, also a Vrolijk subsidiary, recently acquired a substantial shareholding in SPES Armement, buying the shares held by Yvon Neveu, who will remain actively involved in operating Label Normandy which replaces the company’s existing vessels.
Label Normandy will fish with a French crew in the English Channel and North Sea for mackerel and herring which are frozen at sea for human consumption, with some of the catches landed to the Fécamp factory.
The vessel remains part of the Vrolijk fleet as both North Atlantic and France Pélagique are both wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Dutch parent company.
Label Normandy was built in Spain in the mid-90s as one of a pair for Jaczon, subsequently also acquired by Vrolijk, with Wiron I sold to North Atlantic and the UK flag in 2015 to become Atlantic Lady. As well as fishing for herring and mackerel, it has also performed a scientific research role by taking part in mackerel egg survey work.
