Capelin processing has begun in eastern Iceland after the Greenlandic vessel Polar Amaroq landed the first catch of the season in Neskaupstaður on Tuesday morning.
The vessel delivered 340 tonnes of capelin. It is the first capelin landed in the 2026 season. The fish was caught in two hauls around 55 nautical miles from Norðfjarðarhorn, according to the ship’s skipper.
First capelin found quickly
Skipper Geir Zoëga said the crew found capelin almost immediately after leaving port. As a result, there was no need for a longer search.
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He said the fish was of very good quality and well suited for processing at Síldarvinnslan’s fishmeal and processing plant in Neskaupstaður. The crew was in good spirits after the early success, he added.
Zoëga also said whales were observed feeding in the area, noting that this often happens where capelin is present.
Processing begins at Síldarvinnslan
Geir Sigurpáll Hlöðversson, operations manager at Síldarvinnslan’s processing plant, confirmed that the season had now started.
He said it is always a good start to a capelin season and described the fish as very fine and in good condition for processing.
More vessels join the search
At the same time, several vessels have left Neskaupstaður to take part in the ongoing capelin search. Three fishing vessels departed port on Monday and Tuesday, heading to nearby grounds.
The industry is now watching the search closely, with hopes that further capelin concentrations will be found in the coming days.