Two research vessels and three commercial fishing vessels are ready to embark an a survey of Icelandic waters in the New Year to assess the state of the capelin stock.
Research vessel Árni Friðriksson is due to sail early in the new year to survey how far east capelin have migrated, and a general survey will take place later in January.
This will involve research vessels Árni Friðriksson and Thórunn Thórðardóttir, Icelandic pelagic vessels Barði and Heimaey, and Greenlandic pelagic vessel Polar Ammassak.
‘It’s so important to find capelin and everyone’s hoping that there will be a positive outcome so that the roughly 44,000 tonne initial quota advice can be increased,’ said Barði’s skipper Theodór Haraldsson.
‘We could certainly use a decent capelin quota as quotas for both blue whiting and mackerel have been reduced. We expect to sail around the middle of the month and the survey should take a week or so.’
He commented that Barði’s sounders have already been calibrated, and they are ready to go when the call comes.
