The Vinnslustoðin fleet has had a good season this year on mackerel, with the whole of the 19,000 tonne quota held by the company and its partner Huginn caught and landed.
The final delivery of mackerel to the Vinnslustöðin factory in the Westman Islands was 400 tonnes landed by Gullberg and Sighvatur Bjarnason.
‘That brings to an end a fine mackerel season this year,’ said Vinnslustoðin’s pelagic production manager Benoný Thórisson.
He commented that up to the bank holiday weekend at the beginning of August, large, fine-quality mackerel had been fished in home waters. After that, the fish shifted and most of the fishing was in international waters further to the north.
Being able to fish a significant part of its quotas close to home is a positive outcome, strengthening Iceland’s claim to a share of the mackerel TAC, while also ensuring that this year’s fishery has been more economically sound with shorter distances to steam and consequently lower fuel costs and emissions. In the previous few seasons virtually the whole catch has been taken in the more distant international zone, entailing longer trips and higher operating costs.
