Of the 30 Norwegian pelagic vessels in Icelandic waters, only 25 may fish at any one time and those landing in Icelandic ports are required to wait at the quay until their turn comes around again.
The number of Norwegian pelagic fishing inside the Icelandic EEZ is managed by the Icelandic Coastguard’s control room, which ensures that landing permission is as required under international agreements and also monitors the positions of foreign vessels that have to give notice of arrival.
So far 59 Norwegian vessels have fished for capelin in Icelandic waters this year and for the Norwegian fleet the season lasts until the 22nd February. Norway has acquired a portion of Greenland’s capelin quota in Icelandic waters in addition to its own quota. In addition to the Norwegian vessels, one Greenlandic and two Faroese pelagic boats have been active and these are licensed to fish until 30th April.
The Coastguard control room is in regular contact with the Norwegian skippers, operating companies and the Norwegian Fisheries Directorate, and their work is about more than just monitoring fishing activity.
A request from the MRCC Stavanger last week resulted in Coastguard vessel Thór sending a medical team across to a Norwegian pelagic vessel where a crewman was suspected of cardiac problems. The patient was assessed at the scene, at fishing grounds 115 nautical miles offshore, and the decision was taken to seek further medical attention ashore, with both Thór and the Norwegian pelagic vessel steaming to Neskaupstaður.
