Síldarvinnslan’s factory at Neskaupstaður in eastern Iceland has this summer been processing Greenland halibut and redfish for the Asian market, with the emphasis in Greenland halibut since production began in April.
Redfish are wholefrozen for export, while Greenland halibut are headed and cleaned before being frozen.
This production was originally intended to fill gaps in the production schedule between the end of the capelin season and the opening of the mackerel fishery, and much of the company’s workforce takes time off between the pelagic seasons.
Now that the mackerel season still has yet to get into full swing, this groundfish production has shown its value, as netter Anna landed 60 tonnes last week and is now about to return after another trip with a similar amount on board. Anna has been netting for mainly Greenland halibut off the north and north-east of Iceland this summer, with all of its catches landed to the Neskaupstaður plant.
‘This production has been very welcome for us and we can produce around 60 tonnes per day,’ said production manager Jón Gunnar Sigurjónsson.
‘The Greenland halibut are already tailed at sea, as that’s how the fish are bled. I expect Anna has one more trip to go once this landing is completed.’
