Time to visit the trawler! The first of a series of features by Fish Focus, starting with our spotlight on Iceland. We will be posting an article every day, covering this amazing trip and showcasing the Icelandic Seafood industry, Icelandic heritage and the hospitality of the Icelandic people. You can read the whole publication here
Torfi Þ. Þorsteinsson directed the group to get kitted up in Hi-vis and hard hats and to make their way to the key-side to visit Brim’s freezer trawler Vigri RE 71 that had landed that morning in Reykjavik.
In the Vigri’s on-board processing facility
This state-of-the-art 67m freezer trawler is equipped with advanced fishing gear, which allows the vessel to target a variety of fish species while minimising both bycatch and environmental impact.
The trawler features state-of-the-art navigation and communication systems, including satellite positioning, sonar, and fish-finding equipment. These technologies enhance the vessel’s efficiency and safety, allowing for precise and sustainable fishing operations.
Chief Officer, Gestur Kristinsson, said:
“The freezer trawler Vigri is fitted with comprehensive onboard processing facilities which enable the immediate processing and freezing of the catch producing Frozen at Sea (FAS) fillets which ensures that the fish is at its peak freshness and quality, ready for export to global markets.
“The vessel uses selective fishing techniques to reduce bycatch and implements practices that comply with strict Icelandic and international fisheries regulations. It is also fitted with fuel-efficient engines and systems to minimise its carbon footprint.” He added
The visit proved to be of great interest to the party and gave the fish and chip operators a fantastic insight into how their cod is caught, processed and frozen at sea, locking in the freshness of the fish before it leaves the trawler.
“Due to the traceability of the catch the name of the vessel which harvests the fish is on each box of frozen fillets and to our absolute delight when we returned to our restaurant, the name on our box was Vigri RE 71. This was fantastic news for us as we can tell our customers that we have been on the ship that landed the fish in their fish & chips”
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