Trip to the North Atlantic

In February 2024 I had a chance to join a huge (126 meters long!) pelagic trawler leaving to North Atlantic from the port in IJmuiden for a 3 week observer trip.
FIrst few days were spent on steaming to North Atlantic about 50 miles off coast of west Ireland to our designated fishing grounds.
Target species: blue whiting! (yes, that’s what you find in surimi sticks!)
This trip was a full package:

• We experienced extreme weather conditions- maybe 8 Bft is not so very extreme, but still it stopped us from fishing for almost 2 days (those 10 meters waves were quite spectacular- see featured photo)

• I witnessed my beloved gannets plunging into water like reversed space rockets trying to snatch fish that fell out of the net

• Seeing pods of yellow fin tunas in a frenzy mode (also trying to get a bite) was first time for me! To take these shots I went out in a super windy (and freaking cold) coniditions in my survival suit and life jacket, so felt a bit like some National Geographic photographer)

• Dolphins! (form a distance, but always a pleasure to see them)

• Seeing lots of deep water species was definitely super cool!

• Amazing atmosphere with good people and good food (thanks to this 3 weeks went away like a breeze)

It was definitely a unique experience and I enjoyed it to the point that I put my name on a list for more trips to come (not too many, but at least a couple a year will do).
Take a look at photos that I took. Enjoy and until next time!