Season's Greetings

The board, staff and fellows of

the United Nations University - Fisheries Training Programme in Iceland

send you best wishes for the festive season and a Happy New Year.

The UNU-FTP fellows of 2018 are pictured here in Siglufjörður, the northernmost town in Iceland, after a visit to the Herring Era Museum.

Herring plays a major role in the development of Iceland´s fisheries.

At the turn of the century machine powered ships and highly efficient gear made extensive cod and herring fishing possible.

Good herring seasons during the great depression of the 1930s ensured Iceland´s economic independence.

Iceland´s first herring processing plant was built in Siglufjörður in 1911 and nowhere was the influence of herring felt more strongly than here.

The town flourished for over 50 years becoming a mecca for tens of thousands of workers seeking employment.

But the so-called great herring adventure was short-lived.

In 1969 herring failed to appear and the community suffered a severe blow.

Today the town of 1300 inhabitants welcomes visitors from around the world and a popular destination is the Herring Era Museum tracing this rich chapter in Iceland´ s history.