Two research vessels and three commercial pelagic vessels have embarked on a broad survey of Icelandic waters to assess the state of the capelin stock and its migration.
Research vessel Thórunn Thórðardóttir sailed at the weekend from Reykjavík and Árni Friðriksson departed from Akureyri on Monday, while pelagic vessels Barði, Heimaey and Polar Ammassak sailed from Neskaupstaður with staff from the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute on board.
‘The weather outlook for the next few days looks good and we expect to be searching for five to six days. There have been reports from trawlers of capelin sightings both to the east and the north-east, and that’s positive,’ said Barði’s skipper Theodór Haraldsson.
‘We’re optimistic as we head into the survey. This is exciting.’
As the survey gets underway, the first commercial catches of capelin of the year have been reported, as Greenlandic pelagic vessel Polar Amaroq pumped a 250-tonne haul on board, caught in a five-hour tow east of Iceland.
‘There’s a good amount to be seen here,’ said skipper Geir Zoëga.
‘We expect to land in Neskaupstapur and could be alongside tomorrow morning. We know the staff at the Síldarvinnslan plant are looking forward to having capelin to process. The fish look to be large and fine quality. Hopefully the survey that’s starting out now will provide positive results.’
