Síldarvinnslan’s processing factory at Neskaupstaður in eastern Iceland has begun freezing capelin for markets in Asia and Eastern Europe after catch rates increased in the last few days.
There have been few problems with feed in the fish as the factory has processed landings from Norwegian pelagic vessels Teigenes and Harmoni, followed by a 900 tonne landing by local pelagic vessel Börkur.
Síldarvinnslan reports that Börkur was at sea for fifteen hours to catch its 900 tonnes, making a fine start to the season on grounds nine miles off Fáskrúðsfjörður.
‘There was a fine capelin mark there and we took these 900 tonnes in three shots, first 200 tonnes, then 500 tonnes and finally 200 tonnes in the last shot,’ reported skipper Hjörvar Hjálmarsson.
‘Now the fleet is fishing west of Ingólfshöfði where there was some excellent fishing at the same time last year. They were doing well yesterday and the capelin seem to have gathered together properly now. It looks good, even though the quota is small.’
