Land: Iceland

The company’s pelagic vessels finished their allocated capelin quota yesterday, with the final shot of the season taken by Ingunn AK. According to Vilhjálmur Vilhjálmsson, head of HB Grandi’s pelagic division, this is the end of the season, unless there are any late changes. Only a western migration of capelin now could lead to a further increase in the quota.

There was some excellent fishing on Sunday off Snæfellsnes once the wind had dropped around the middle of the day. But conditions were still difficult with heavy seas and may of the purse seiners damaged their gear. According to Lundey NS’s skipper Arnthór Hjörleifsson, there was no chance of being able to fish on Saturday, but as soon as it was safe to set the gear on Sunday there were some good shots straight away. There was a heavy swell on the fishing areas south of Malarrif and some exceptionally difficult conditions.

There has been some excellent fishing on capelin since the fleet went back to sea following a short break when a strike had been threatened.

The season for freezing capelin roe began this morning at HB Grandi’s Akranes factory after Lundey NS docked yesterday with 1100 tonnes of capelin in its tanks. Fishing grounds are not far from the port and it took only two hours to steam to Akranes after the final shot.