The first capelin catch this season, weighing around 1,000 tons, was brought to land in Vopnafjördur, east Iceland, yesterday evening by Víkingur AK 100, operated by HB Grandi. First mate Gudmundur Hafsteinsson described the fish as “fat and pretty.”
Capelin. Photo by Bjarni Brynjólfsson.
The capelin was caught in Greenlandic waters approximately 120 nautical miles north of Horn in the West Fjords. The journey to Vopnafjördur was around 250 nautical miles, Morgunbladid reports.
“It is of prime quality,” Hafsteinsson said. “We measured 42 fish in one kilo which is good. This first capelin of the season is a good indication of the rest. There also seems to be an abundance of fish in the fishing grounds.”
As much of the catch as possible will be frozen in Vopnafjördur. “It is a reason to celebrate if we manage to use most of it for freezing,” Hafsteinsson said. Otherwise, capelin is sometimes used for making fishmeal.
The capelin fishing season began on October 1 and continues until April 30, 2012. The original quota is 180,000 tons. Víkingur AK 100 will head out again as soon as possible.
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ESA
