Faroese skipper defies advice, continues fishing on Faroe Bank despite low season warnings

The quality of cod caught on the Faroe Bank remains consistent with previous years, according to skipper Gundur Sørensen, who will keep fishing the area this summer despite recommendations from marine biologists to wait until autumn, Faroese public broadcaster KVF reports.

Sørensen, captain of the longliner Anru, confirmed that the largest Faroe Bank cod is currently selling for around 30 krona per kilogram—about 10 krona less than the top price for cod from Faroese coastal grounds. Earlier this week, fisheries biologist Petur Steingrund and Høgni Hansen of the Faroese Fish Market advised against summer fishing on the bank, citing poorer quality and lower prices due to leaner fish.

Sørensen, who has fished the Faroe Bank since 2019, disputes the claim that summer is the worst season for the fishery. While acknowledging the cod is somewhat leaner now than at other times of year, he insists the quality remains stable. Anru will continue operating on the bank through the summer, contrary to the biologists’ suggestion to pause until autumn, when the fish are fattest.