Capelin processing has resumed at full capacity at the Síldarvinnslan plant in Neskaupstaður, Iceland. The start follows new advice from the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute. The institute recommends a capelin quota of just over 197,000 tonnes for the current season.
The advice was announced on Wednesday. Planning for the season began at once. Managers at the Síldarvinnslan plant moved quickly to prepare for full operations. The main focus will be on processing capelin for human consumption.
The first capelin of the season arrived on 20 January. The Greenlandic vessel Polar Amaroq landed 340 tonnes. On Thursday morning, the Icelandic vessel Barði NK arrived with 880 tonnes. Later that night, Polar Amaroq returned with another 1,200 tonnes and is awaiting unloading.
These are the first major landings of the season. Local officials say the capelin season is now fully underway in Neskaupstaður.
Plant moves to round-the-clock production
Oddur Einarsson, plant manager at Síldarvinnslan, said preparations accelerated as soon as the quota advice was made public. “Everything went into full motion. It was great to see the reaction. Everyone was smiling. It felt like Christmas had come again,” he said.
Read more stories about Síldarvinnslan
The plant expects to run at full capacity through February. Work will take place on two shifts, 24/7. Staff will have rest periods during the intense season.
Workers return quickly
The workforce was called in as soon as the advice was confirmed. Many employees who were away from Neskaupstaður have already returned.
Each shift will have 17 workers, plus supervisors, technicians, and quality-control staff. Optimism is high among workers and across the local community.
Oddur said capelin has a major impact on the town. “You can feel the optimism everywhere. Capelin is a very powerful fish,” he said.