Hopes of a capelin fishery in Icelandic waters are fading fast. Usually there’s heavy fishing south of Iceland at this time of year, but so far not enough has been located to justify setting anything other than the current zero-quota.
But Icelandic fishing and processing company Eskja, based in the east coast port of Eskifjörður, has sourced capelin for production – all the way from the Barents Sea.
Norwegian pelagic vessel Hargun docked in Eskifjörður yesterday with 1100 tonnes of capelin caught in four shots off the north of Norway.
According to Eskja’s pelagic production manager Hlynur Ársælsson, it’s been a 950 nautical mile steam for Hargun to land this catch.
‘The catch is in fine condition, despite the long steam to Eskifjörður. Production has started well, although there are always a few minor problems when the factory hasn’t been run for several months,’ he said, and added that the smell of capelin in the building never fails to generate excitement.
‘We’re freezing production for markets in Asia and Eastern Europe. And tomorrow we’re expecting Steinevik to dock with another 990 tonnes of capelin.’
