Síldarvinnslan’s pelagic vessel Beitir docked this week in Neskaupstaður with 700 tonnes of mackerel on board, which is expected to be the company’s final mackerel landing of this season.
According to skipper Sigurður Valgeir Jóhannesson, this last mackerel trip began in home waters, but with little to be seen, Beitir headed out into international waters.
‘That’s where we had this 700 tonnes in five hauls over three days,’ he said.
‘There was very little fishing in the dark, but much better in daylight. On the way home we tried again inside the Icelandic EEZ and were aware of mackerel there. We shot the gear, but only had a few tonnes, although this was large, good-quality fish.’
Now the focus is turning to the herring fishery.
‘This mackerel season gas gone well, and it’s clear that the fish are heading for northern waters. Next is the herring and on the steam home we noticed some good herring marks in the Héráðsflói area. We’re looking forward to turning to herring next,’ Sigurður Valgeir Jóhannesson said.
