The Faroese pelagic vessel Christian í Grótinum landed the largest blue whiting catch of the year in Egersund last week after reporting 3,505 tonnes caught in Faroese waters.
The catch was delivered to Prima Protein AS in Egersund. In total, three Faroese vessels reported 8,503 tonnes of blue whiting during week 19.The
Faroese fleet dominated blue whiting landings
The Norwegian pelagic sales organisation Sildelaget said the blue whiting was caught in the Faroese zone. Christian í Grótinum accounted for more than 40 per cent of the total volume reported by the three Faroese vessels.
The landing underlines continued Faroese activity in the North Atlantic blue whiting fishery during the spring season.
Small Norwegian vessels start the mackerel fishery
At the same time, the smallest Norwegian coastal vessels started fishing mackerel for the fresh market. Eight vessels reported 17.6 tonnes during the week.
The fish were caught from Alver in Vestland to Strand in Rogaland. According to Sildelaget, the mackerel weighed between 400 and 500 grams and was sold fresh through weekday auctions.
North Sea herring is still lean
Sildelaget also reported small catches of horse mackerel and North Sea herring during the week.
Fat samples from North Sea herring caught in late April showed the fish were still lean. Sildelaget said this may point to cold conditions in the North Sea and limited feeding opportunities.