Whelk

Royal Iceland is the only company in Iceland catching whelk (Buccinum undatum) in bated pots.  The whelk is alive when brought to shore after one day of fishing; a gentle fishing method well suited for this fragile environment.

Three vessels, deliver whelk to the company’s factory, which cleans, grades, cooks and individually freezes the product.

The production is estimated to be 700 tons, exported mainly to Asia and France.

The Icelandic whelk is mostly green but depending on fishing grounds within Breidafjordur, the colour can differ.  The average harvesting size is 48-60mm in length or 20-40 grams.