Mackerel processed in automatic filleting devices. (Photo: HB Grandi: Jon Siguroarson)
HB Grandi exceeds last year's mackerel production
(ICELAND, 8/30/2011)
Some 10,000 tonnes of mackerel and herring products have so far this season been frozen at HB Grandi’s pelagic factory in Vopnafjördur -- 3,000 tonnes more than during the same period last year.
This is the case even though landings have been lower this year, mainly because Faxi RE did not begin fishing until early August even though Ingunn AK and Lundey NS started in June.
According to Vilhjálmur Vilhjálmsson, in charge of the company’s pelagic department, so far this season, around 8,000 tonnes of herring and 9,000 tonnes of mackerel have been caught, and the company has a quota of 20,800 tonnes for Atlanto-Scandian herring and of 15,500 tonnes for mackerel.
The company informed that fishing and production have been progressing well, and especially with mackerel. Most recent catches have consisted of mackerel that later went to be processed for human consumption.
Most of the landed mackerel is headed and eviscerated at the pelagic Vopnafjördur factory for freezing, and the largest grades of the animal are wholefrozen in the new blast freezer that was installed before the season started.
Magnús Róbertsson at the Vopnafjördur factory said production has gone extremely well; he expects that the season could extend into October if catch rates remain steady. The plant’s production capacity is 250 tonnes per day when producing mackerel as raw material and the blast freezer has been highly beneficial in maximising the larger mackerel grades.
HB Grandi’s fleet is currently fishing about 120-150 nmi from Vopnafjördur. The vessels that have been fishing on herring are now operating farther north, with herring fishing occurring fairly close to Vopnafjördur.
Relatedly, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki and Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs of Norway Lisbeth Berg-Hansen recently announced their agreement that Iceland and the Faroes are both being “irresponsible” in their fishing of mackerel. The ministers said the countries’ “excessive” unilateral quotas for their 2011 mackerel fisheries is cause for concern.
HB Grandi manages the largest share of quotas in the ocean around Iceland.
The company touts itself as running efficient freezing plants in Vopnafjordur and Akranes specializing in capelin, capelin roe and herring fillets and flaps.
As well, HB Grandi produces superior fishmeal and fish oil in its fishmeal factories in Vopnafjordur, Akranes and Reykjavik.
Related articles:
- EU, Norway call for Faroes, Iceland to take responsible action on mackerel
- Herring and mackerel fishing to continue for a month
By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
Information of the company:
Address:
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Nordurgardur 1
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City:
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Reyjavik
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State/ZIP:
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(101)
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Country:
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Iceland
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Phone:
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+354 550 1000
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Fax:
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+354 550 1005
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E-Mail:
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[email protected]
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More about:
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Approval / Accreditation / Certified / Oversight by...
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