Icelandic fishing company Síldarvinnslan has ended its blue whiting season in Faroese waters after several weeks of strong catches. The final vessel, Beitir NK, arrived in Neskaupstaður on Sunday morning with 2,720 tonnes of blue whiting.
The company’s other pelagic vessels also landed large catches last week. Barði NK delivered 2,100 tonnes on Tuesday, while Börkur NK landed 3,200 tonnes on Wednesday.
Strong catches in Faroese waters
According to Barði NK skipper Þorkell Pétursson, fishing had been strong since early April. He said the latest trip was the fourth of the season, and catches were taken north of previous fishing grounds near the Faroe Bank area.
He said the vessel caught between 350 and 450 tonnes per haul during the final trip. Fishing operations lasted between six and 11 hours per haul.
Fast trip for Börkur NK
Börkur NK skipper Hjörvar Hjálmarsson said his vessel filled up in less than three days. The catch was taken in seven hauls, with each haul delivering between 360 and 580 tonnes.
He added that the blue whiting was moving north in search of food and could later enter Icelandic waters.
Fishing slowed at the end
Beitir NK skipper Ólafur Gunnar Guðnason said fishing became more difficult in recent days as the fish spread out while moving north. Beitir caught its final load in 10 hauls, with catches of 200 to 300 tonnes per haul.
Despite the slowdown, the skippers said they were highly satisfied with the blue whiting season in Faroese waters.