Síldarvinnslan’s pelagic vessel Börkur has made the first mackerel landing of the year in Iceland, with 320 tonnes discharged in Neskaupstaður.
According to skipper Hjörvar Hjálmarsson, the season has got off to a slow start.
‘The fish are showing up late this year and it’s only now that it seems like spring is here,’ he said.
‘The sea temperature on the Thors Bank where these fish were caught is now 9°, and this is fish from three vessels, Börkur, Beitir and Vilhelm Thorsteinsson. Like last year, the pelagic vessels landing to Síldarvinnslan are co-operating and this has worked extremely well.’
He commented that the mackerel are highly dispersed and hauls have been around 40 tonnes, all large, high-quality fish.
‘As we sailed for home, the others were heading for the international zone. We’re hoping that there’s more to be seen there, plus the weather outlook for south and west of Iceland doesn’t look good for the next few days. We expect that the mackerel will make its way into Icelandic waters. We’re looking forward to the season and are sailing as soon as we have finished landing,’ he said.
Síldarvinnslan’s factory manager Jón Gunnar Sigurjónsson said that the landing is very welcome, providing an opportunity to make sure that the processing systems are all running correctly.
‘We’re ready for the season, and just want to see more fish,’ he said.
