UNU-FTP Fellows visit Icelandic North
Last week, the UNU-FTP took its annual trip to the Northern part of Iceland for a series of lectures at the University of Akureyri visits to companies and organisations working in fisheries and fisheries related activities.
During the week-long trip, the UNU-FTP fellows were busy with lectures at the University of Akureyri on topics of fisheries value chains, marketing, marine biotechnology, and the development of fisheries and the individual transferable quota system in Iceland. We were also well received by several companies in the northern part of Iceland working in fisheries and related industries. We began at the Herring Museum in Siglufjorður where we learned about industrial fishing in Iceland's recent past, and the important role fisheries resources can play in building a society. Next we paid a visit to the Hólar University College, and toured an arctic charr breeding and research facility there. We also saw GPG Saltfish and Dried fish production in Húsavik, and the Silfurstjarnan fish farm near Kópasker. We visited Geiteyarströnd, and sampled some smoked fish made through traditional processing, and took a dip in the Nature Baths near Mývatn. The fellows toured a fish auction market and learned about the system for selling and buying fish in Iceland. We also toured Sæplast in Dalvík, where fish tubs are produced with the specific intention of preserving quality and improving the value of the product. We also toured Samherji's white fish and dried fish production in Dalvík, and the modern processing machine manufacturer Vélfag, which is based in Ólafsfjörður.
Through these lectures and visits, UNU-FTP aims to show fellows how fisheries in Iceland have developed over time into an important industry building value out of a finite resource. We extend our warmest appreciation for all those who shared their expertise with us during this visit. Thank you!
