The performance of vessels using Streamline fishing trawls from Ísfell draws attention

Málmey SK 1

The Streamline trawls are multi-functional fishing trawls that have proved that they have many advantages over traditional trawls, both old and new. The trawl is high-performance fishing gear with little to no stick fish. It is considered easy to tow and is designed to provide as little resistance as possible without losing the optimal ability of taking all the fish it encounters and directing them into the codend.

The Streamline fishing trawl consists for the most part of Sapphire NG Compact net, which is more durable and has greater abrasion resistance than the traditional green PE nets. By using the SNG material, as it is usually referred to, it is possible to narrow the diameter of the net in the trawl and thereby decrease its surface area, which again makes the trawl lighter to tow.
The headrope and other lines in the trawl are made of Dyneema Duo material, with the exception of the ground ropes, which consist of chains. The Dyneema Duo material is extremely durable and abrasion resistant. 9.5” Hydro Dynamic floats specifically manufactured for Ísfell and Selstad in Norway are used on the headline. These have significant strength and floatation. This means that it is possible to reduce the number of floats on the headrope, and all movement and fluctuation on the rope is reduced to a minimum. Resistance is also less, as there are fewer floats as opposed to using traditional 8” floats.

The first vessel to try the Streamline trawl was Bjartur, owned by Síldarvinnslan. The vessel Barðinn soon followed suit. These two ships have now been sold overseas. Gullver from Seyðisfjörður, Málmey and Klakkur from Sauðárkrókur and Ljósafell from Fáksrúðsfjörður have since used the Streamline trawl, with excellent results.

One could say that the improvements that have been made to the Streamline trawl since the first trawl was prepared have come from the captains and crew of Málmey and Rúnar Kristjánsson, Ísfell’s operations manager in Sauðárkrókur. These people have worked together to improve an otherwise excellent trawl with such success that it has drawn quite some attention.

Drangey, Kaldbakur and Björgúlfur

The newly constructed vessels Kaldbakur EA 1 from Útgerðarfélag Akureyringa and Björgúlfur EA-312 from Samherji have recently joined the group of vessels using the Streamline trawl. There is general satisfaction with the fishing gear on board these vessels; they are said to be light to tow, gilled fish are negligible and there is very little maintenance needed for the trawls. The trawls were prepared in Ísfell’s net lofts in Sauðárkrókur and Akureyri.

At present, two new trawls are being prepared for Drangey SK, the sister ship of Kaldbakur and Björgúlfur. The vessel is expected to begin fishing around the middle of December this year.
Further information can be obtained from Jónas Þór Friðriksson 5 200 514 (jonas@isfell.is ), Rúnar Kristjánsson 5 200 560 (runar@isfell.is) and Þorvaldur Sigurðsson 5 200 550 (valdi@isfell.is).

Drangey