Samherji’s pelagic vessel Vilhelm Thorsteinsson is alongside in Neskaupstaður, preparing for the coming capelin season.
After having been fishing for blue whiting, Vilhelm Thorsteinsson EA-11 is now taking capelin gear on board, ahead of the scientific advice expected to be deliverd to the ministry later this week on this season’s quota level. Significant densities of capelin have been observed off the north and east of Iceland.
Vilhelm Thorsteinsson’s skipper Birkir Hreinsson commented that the expectation is that the 43,000-tonne initial quota advised by the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute will be significantly increased.
‘It remains to be seen how much capelin there is on the move, but this is first and foremost positive news. The last two years have been lean ones for capelin,’ he said.
‘We’re ready to go as soon as the purse seine is on board and then we’ll wait for the quota to be issued. We’re naturally waiting for an increased quota and the weekend’s news are grounds for optimism.’
