The Icelandic summer herring season is now entering its final days as vessels make their last landings in the west of the country.
Börkur NK and Beitir NK both returned to Neskaupstaður this week with 1,650 tonnes each, marking some of the last major trips of the season.
Barði NK is now on its final herring trip, but poor weather has slowed progress. Trawling conditions have been uneven in recent days, with skippers reporting mixed catches and frequent disruptions offshore.
Skippers Report Mixed Hauls
Hjörvar Hjálmarsson, skipper of Börkur NK, said the trip had gone “fairly well”. His crew secured the catch in seven hauls, each producing between 200 and 300 tonnes. The vessel began fishing on Látragrunni before moving south to Wilson and then to Kolluáll.
“There was not much power in the fishing, but it was far from bad,” he said.
Tómas Kárason, skipper of Beitir NK, gave a similar account. His crew fished outside Kolluáll, taking six hauls that ranged widely from 80 to 500 tonnes. He described the herring as “fine fish”, weighing 280–290 grams. “Now the season is over for us,” he added.
Vessels Move On to Blue Whiting
With their landings completed, Börkur NK has already switched to blue whiting (kolmunni) fishing. At the same time, Beitir NK is expected to follow later this evening.