We have just returned from holidaying in Iceland, and predictably I spent a lot of time in the many small working harbours looking at the day boats. Probably over half of them were one of the Somi range, which must say something. www.somiboats.is You can see some in the foreground of the harbour above. These are rugged boats from 7 metres to 9 metres in length. Most of the ones I saw were rigged for commercial jigging for cod: 200lb mono traces, three 8/0 hooks and “gummi-macs” or rubber eels lures. They are operated with automated electric haulers.
Some of the larger boats were rigged with similar haulers but much longer traces, there were probably for mackerel. There looked like 50+ lures per line, and 12 or more haulers. Fish are automatically unhooked with rollers and fall down a chute into the enclosed packing deck.
The water was clear and exceptionally busy with marine life. Plenty of shore anglers were having great success catching plaice in this small marina – there were about 10 anglers and a fish was coming in every few minutes.
Fishing is the main industry here, and fish is the main item on every menu. Many restaurants serve nothing else – this one has three main dishes, fish soup, fish stew and … fish.
Food is like everything, expensive at about twice UK prices but portions are very generous so that softens the pain. Well presented too. I particularly liked the lightly salted (brined?) cod dish.
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