Greenland Halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides)
Greenland Halibut
Reinhardtius Hippoglossoides (Latin)
Blåkveite (N), Flétan noir (F), Schwarzer Heilbutt (D)
Season: All year round – rarely sold fresh in the summer.
Size: The male is rarely greater than 0.7 m. and 4 kg; the female rarely greater than 1 m. and 13 kg.
The fish/fishery
Greenland halibut is an Arctic fish that is not found in water warmer than 4°C. It is similar to Atlantic halibut, but its blind side is a little lighter than its eyed side.
The spawning grounds for Greenland halibut extend along the edge of the continental shelf between Vesterålen and Spitsbergen. The species reaches sexual maturity at a late age: the male at 4–5 years of age and the female at 9–10 years of age at the earliest. The growing grounds are primarily off the coast of Svalbard. As an adult, sexually mature fish, it lives along the edge of the continental shelf at depths of 600 to 1200 m, but it can also live in more shallow water.
Greenland halibut consumes fish, squid and crustaceans and is famous for its ability to migrate for long distances.
Most of the fishing for Greenland halibut takes place along the edge of the continental shelf as far north as the island of Prins Karls Forland in the Svalbard archipelago.
The stock has remained at a low level during the last 15 years, but is slowly starting to pick up again. Commercial fishing is subject to strict regulations in an attempt to increase the Norwegian stock.
Fishing methods
Bottom trawling, long lines, nets.
Use
Sold mostly smoked, whole and sliced. Smoked Greenland halibut is best suited for poaching or dishes baked in the oven. In Norway it is usually served with a light sauce and boiled vegetables.
Source: Eksportutvalget for fisk / Norwegian Seafood Export Council
Headed and Gutted Greenland Halibut
J/Cut and N/Cut, Trawl/Liner – caught
Factory vessels: Fixed weight, packed in cartons, 3x6 kgs
Other vessels: Vertical frozen in blocks, random block weight, packed in bags.
Sizes:
0,5-1,0 kg
1,0-2,0 kg
2,0-3,0 kg
3,0-5,0 kg
5,0 kg +
Heads
J/Cut, Vertical frozen in blocks, random block weight, packed in bags
Sizes:
300 gr.-
300-500 gr.
500 gr. +
400 gr. -
400 gr. +
Mix.