The freezer trawler Blængur NK returned to Neskaupstaður on Monday after a successful fishing trip.

The crew brought in 676 tons of catch, valued at approximately 442 million ISK. Most of the fish were haddock and saithe, along with some cod and other species.

Captain Sigurður Hörður Kristjánsson said the trip went smoothly. “We fished mostly east of Iceland, around Breiðdalsgrunn and Hvalbakshalli. The weather was rough at first, but later improved,” he said.

Goodbye to an experienced shipmate

This trip was also a special one, as the crew said goodbye to one of their most experienced shipmates, Sigurður Breiðfjörð. After nearly 50 years at sea, Sigurður is retiring.

“I’m 65 now and I want to stop while I can still be helpful,” said Sigurður. “I started very young, working on a small net boat. Later, I became a deckhand on the old side trawler Maí. Not many current fishermen have been on those old boats.”

Worked on Danish and Norwegian vessels

Over the decades, Sigurður worked on many ships, including Apríl, Ýmir, and Rán. He also worked in Norway on a trawler from Ålesund and spent some time on Danish vessels.

In 2001, he returned to Iceland and joined several more ships before finally boarding Blængur in 2021, where he has worked continuously since then.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time on Blængur,” Sigurður said. “The captains are top-notch, and the crew is hardworking and positive. Although the ship is over 50 years old, it continues to catch fish very well. It’s one of the best jobs out there.”

As he moves into retirement, Sigurður says he will miss the crew but is confident they will continue to succeed.

Gullver’s Catch and Upcoming Maintenance

Meanwhile, the fresh fish trawler Gullver NS returned to Seyðisfjörður with a 106-ton catch, mostly haddock and cod. Captain Þórhallur Jónsson reported that the fishing took place on Hvalbaksgrunn and Gauraslóð, with mostly good weather.
Fishing has been slow lately, but the crew managed to find some good patches. “The catches have been small, but we sometimes get lucky,” said Þórhallur.

After unloading, Gullver is set to go on a short trip before heading to dry dock in Akureyri. The ship will undergo routine maintenance, which is expected to take about two weeks. After that, the vessel will be out of action until August 10.

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