The new capelin roe processing line is designed to double production capacity during the short roe season. The system went through an initial dry run, and the first production went began when pelagic vessel Beitir landed 2200 tonnes of roe-bearing capelin in Neskaupstaður at the end of last week.
The capelin are processed in the quayside reception facility, where the roe is extracted and cleaned. The roe is them transferred to the processing plant for a final refining process before being packed and frozen.
‘We worked through the whole of Beitir’s catch and that went well,’ said head of shore production
Jón Már Jónsson.
‘The roe wasn’t as mature as we would have liked, but hopefully this is just the start of a good roe season and let’s remember that capelin can take you by surprise. Now there’s not much fishing and the fleet is searching. We’re hoping this improves soon.’
As production of Beitir’s catch was coming to an end, Greenlandic pelagic vessel Polar Ammassak docked in Norðfjörður with around 1900 tonnes of roe capelin on board.
According to skipper Geir Zoëga, this was an unusual trip.
‘We started west of Bjargtangar and had 700 tonnes. Then we went into Breiðafjörður and had 600 tonnes in two shots. We finished up in the Nes Deeps off the Westfjords,’ he said.
‘The capelin are behaving strangely and that makes things diffcult for us. They’re sitting deep and are also dispersed. Then there are also so many whales on the fishing grounds that they cause us endless headaches.’
