Fishing the News 2024 7th EDITION

Clean ocean and freshness

The largest seafood exhibition of its kind in the world takes places in Barcelona betwen 23rd and 25th of April 2024. The exhibition is divided into two parts, the Seafood Expo Global and the Seafood Processing Global. There companies present both products and services, and the latest machines and devices in the industry are also presented. The exhibition has grown a lot and today there are about two thousand companies from more than 70 countries participating. Up to 26,000 visitors from 150 countires attend the exhibition. The seafood industry relies on ever-increasing research and product development, but experience has shown that increased value creation in the industry is based on ingenuity that we can be proud of. All of this is based on the pillars that we know so well. This knowledge is our wealth and insight into further innovation for the future. By sharing our knowledge, relationships are also formed, which can be invaluable to companies.

Clean ocean, quality and freshness are among other quantifiable assets that have created wealth for us and are a further incentive for continued innovation and further marketing of our unique products.

In today’s fast-paced economy, choosing the right logistics partner is vital. With an extensive global network of air, ocean, and road transport modes, we deliver shipping solutions for perishables, tailored to meet Your needs.

Your Partner in Seafood Logistics

Delivering global solutions and local expertise

DB SCHENKER is a leading global logistics provider that offers innovative supply chain solutions for a variety of industries. With over 1,850 locations across more than 130 countries, DB SCHENKER has a truly strong presence in all major markets and regions.

Valdimar Óskarsson has served as the Managing Director of DB Schenker in Iceland since its establishment in 2011. With over 30 years of logistics experience, he has held roles with airlines and ocean carriers in Iceland. Additionally, he worked for nearly a decade as a manager for the Icelandic Group, one of Europe's largest seafood companies at the time.

Seafood has historically been Iceland's leading industry and primary export. Valdimar Óskarsson elaborates, "When Icelandic Services was launched in Rotterdam, I assumed the leadership role. This entity specialized in reefer logistics, supply management, and quality control for Icelandic Group branches. Later, I also managed Icelandic Services in Iceland, overseeing quality control, documentation, and exports. Eventually, financial troubles led to the divestment of all subsidiary companies, including Icelandic Services."

Valdimar Óskarsson, Managing Director DB SCHENKER in Iceland. Photo/Fishing the News

Elín Bragadóttir Busy warehouse of DB SCHENKER in Iceland. Photo/Fishing the News

The Motivation Behind Opening the Branch in Iceland

"I had conducted consulting work for DB Schenker in 2010, which included analyzing seafood logistics from Iceland to various parts of the world“, Óskarsson continues. "One thing led to another, and about a year later, I was hired to open a DB SCHENKER office in Iceland. Initially, our main focus was handling frozen seafood exports and DB SCHENKER remains the sole international forwarder offering reefer services in Iceland. Since then, our operation has expanded significantly, with reefer logistics playing a crucial role. While fresh and frozen perishables remain a big part of our portfolio, we've also diversified into general dry goods transport, particularly the import of consumer goods. Today, we have a team of 15 people in the office, each specializing in different parts of the supply chain. We have a comprehensive knowledge of logistics within the company that will support and ensure our future growth."

Unique Service: "Frozen All the Way“

“As part of our commitment to serving perishable customers, our team has innovated a unique solution for exporters shipping frozen samples via air freight. With restrictions on dry ice usage, we've explored alternative methods. We collect samples from customers and meticulously package each one in thick styrofoam sheets, custom-fitted to minimize excess air space. This ensures consistent temperature for the samples throughout the logistics chain. Customers then are able to track the journey of their samples using our online tracking system - CONNECT.“

Future Growth Prospects for DB SCHENKER in Iceland

“Icelanders have always prioritized the responsible management of our natural resources, ensuring sustainable stocks in our territorial waters, through careful management and quotas. While the export of frozen seafood has remained stable for some time, there has been a significant increase in the export of fresh seafood. Furthermore, there has been remarkable growth in the production and export of farmed salmon, a trend we expect to persist in the foreseeable future, accompanied by substantial growth in seafood logistics transport in the last two years.“

DB SCHENKER has long been a major player in transporting fresh products, particularly salmon from Norway and Great Britain. With Reefer designated as a vertical product within DB SCHENKER, specialized experts across all regions are dedicated to advancing and expanding this segment further.

DB SCHENKER at Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona 2024

“We're excited to confirm our presence at the SEG 2024 exhibition in Barcelona“, says Óskarsson. “Previously, we've had stands at exhibitions in Brussels, and now with the shift to Barcelona, we're keen to maintain our presence. Our team of experts from sea, air, and land transportation departments across various regions will be there. It's an ideal opportunity for us to connect with our existing customers and engage with potential ones.“

Busy warehouse of DB SCHENKER in Iceland. Photo/Fishing the News

Thick styrofoam wrap for a consistent temperature throughout the journey. Photo/ DB SCHENKER in Iceland

The advent of electrical winches

– One of the biggest environmental changes in the fishing industry

The technological revolution has over time transformed the fishing industry and will continue to shape the future. One of the most effective innovations is the advent of electrical winches. Enormous environmental and financial benefits have resulted from their introduction. Naust Marine has decades of experience in the production of such winches and the CEO of the company believes that they represent one of the most impactful environmental shifts in the fishing sector.

Naust Marine, a seasoned manufacturer specializing in Winch systems for trawlers and marine vessels, boasts a comprehensive suite of robust and reliable deck machinery solutions. From electrical winches to cranes, the company handles all aspects of fishing gear and its management, providing both hardware and software solutions. Notably, Naust Marine stands as one of the few companies worldwide offering complete, in-house deck machinery solution packages, a testament to its commitment to quality and integration.

According to Bjarni Þór Gunnlaugsson, CEO of Naust Marine, these devices represent a transformative leap forward. With over 30 years

of expertise, Naust Marine is at the forefront of this innovation, advocating for widespread adoption of electrical winches across all vessels. Despite recent industry challenges, optimism remains high among the company's workforces.

Extensive experience in the industry

Reflecting on industry dynamics, Bjarni Þór underscores the necessity of Naust Marine's gradual shift towards its location in Spain for production. Citing cost efficiency and access to skilled technical personnel, he acknowledges the pragmatic need for this transition, despite

Bára Huld Beck

Bjarni Þór Gunnlaugsson CEO of Naust Marine

Electrical Trawl Winch. Photo: Naust Marine

Gilson Winches. Photo: Naust Marine

the company's Icelandic roots. This strategic move ensures competitiveness and sustainability in a rapidly changing market landscape. Naust Marine officially established its Spanish operations location in 2018 and employed some of the top production personnel, engineers, technicians, and managers experienced in the industry, who are still working hard for Naust today. He highlights their extensive experience in the industry, noting that Naust Marine in Iceland initially focused on software development only, particularly Trawl winch control systems. "Initially, we collaborated with a Spanish company for winch production, but since 2018, Naust Marine has taken over all manufacturing." He asserts that this transition represents a significant improvement, one that he believes should have been implemented much earlier.

Challenges

Naust Marine has encountered significant challenges, like many others in the industry due to external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. These obstacles have led to disruptions in many key markets across the world, resulting in logistical issues, delayed deliveries, and funding issues. Consequently, the company finds itself in a difficult position, unable to export equipment to some customers and facing payment delays for already delivered products.  It is understood that numerous companies are postponing their new buildings and retrofitting due to financial hardships associated with the rising costs of building, product profits, and their own lesser skilled labor force. Naust Marine remains committed to providing the most economical and technical solutions possible for each customer.  Bjarni Þór underscores the importance of adaptability and resilience in such turbulent times, commending Naust Marine’s successful expansion into alternative markets. Despite expressing dissatisfaction with governmental responses, particularly in diplomatic efforts, Bjarni Þór advocates for stronger support for Icelandic businesses. Nonetheless, Naust Marine remains committed to innovation and collaboration, actively seeking avenues for growth and advancement.

Innovative solutions

Naust Marine is a forward-thinking company dedicated to enhancing its current innovations and pioneering new ones. Currently, the company is collaborating with other progressive companies to secure a European grant for its latest innovation. Bjarni Þór notes that continuous development is essential for companies to thrive.

Over the past three decades, Naust Marine has witnessed significant technological advancements in the industry. When it first began opera-

tions 30 years ago, Naust’s products were considered futuristic. Despite facing challenges, such as convincing others of the benefits of electrical winches over traditional ones, the company remains committed to advocating for technological progress in the marine industry.

Less fuel consumption – Environmentally friendly

Bjarni Þór highlights that electrical winches conserve 30-40 percent of oil use, resulting in substantial environmental and financial gains.

"Currently, numerous vessels integrate electrical winches due to these advantages. This is beneficial for both the environment and significant cost savings. In my opinion, it stands as one of the most impactful environmental shifts in the fishing sector. I doubt anything else has had such a profound effect as electrical winches."

He observes that numerous competitors followed suit upon recognizing the advantages of electrical winches.

"It's evident to all that this represents a significant environmental shift, given its substantial oil-saving capabilities through the use of this equipment."

Gilson Winches. Photo: Naust Marine

Electrical fly-shooting winches. Photo: Naust Marine Electrical fly-shooting winches. Photo: Naust Marine

According to Bjarni Þór, not much attention has been given to this revolution. He does highlight though that electricity is generated both when shooting and hauling the trawl. Despite this, many still rely on outdated winches. "Consequently, oil ends up in the sea; it's unavoidable," he notes. Safety of the catch, personnel, and seas teamed with efficiency and fuel savings are all advantages of the electric solution.

Icelandic fishing industry is exemplary

As previously mentioned, Naust Marine has relocated its production to Spain. Bjarni Þór also expresses a desire to increase production in Iceland.

"Icelandic fishing companies have embraced innovation, and our fishing industry sets a high standard in all aspects. However, there could be more support for Icelandic companies. While we aim for more projects in Iceland, various factors prevent it."

He contends that the Icelandic market excels in efficiency and remains receptive to innovation.

"What's lacking in Icelandic society is a stronger pride in our fishing industry rather than criticism. Iceland is admired worldwide – and rightfully so."

Bjarni Þór emphasizes the vital role of the Icelandic fishing industry for the country and its people, stressing the need for its continued success. Therefore, fostering a positive outlook towards the industry is crucial for its ongoing prosperity.

Naust Marine's Newer Projects

Currently, Naust Marine is working on multiple projects providing complete deck machinery solutions for several different types of fishing vessels, and marine applications, each with their unique set of require -

ments. The diversity of the projects expands the company's customer base and allows for continuous technological improvement and innovation combined with proven solutions. “This growth and expansion make for exciting work and continued optimism,” Bjarni notes.

New Icelandic research vessel, Þórunn Þórðardóttir, has opted for Naust Marine's most environmentally favorable winch package solution. Winch operations produce zero emissions so as not to contribute to air pollution. With no hydraulic fluid spills or fires, less environmental noise and vibrations, and higher efficiency. Parlevliet & Van der Plas's new Pelagic vessel has selected a comprehensive custom solution from Naust Marine, comprising over 20 winches teamed with the Automatic Trawl Winch (ATW) Control system. The ATW control system allows the operator to shoot the net at a pre-set length and provides automatic load control for trawl winches, ensuring equal tension on the wires during operations, resulting in maximum catch with minimal operational cost.

Norwegian Fly-shooting vessel, Eilifson, will be outfitted with Naust Marine's trawl and fly-shooting winches, that allows for a combination of fishing methods to perform the work efficiently and consistently during varying sea conditions and targeted catch, yielding a higher return for fishing.

New Falkland Trawler, is to be equipped with a Complete Electric Deck Machinery Package from Naust Marine: meeting and exceeding The Orion Fishing Company criteria by prioritizing energy efficiency, reducing fuel consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and optimizing operations.

Sustainable scampi trawler in New Zealand, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and operational efficiency, has chosen Naust Marine's full package solution.

Maximizing fishing efficiency

Naust Marine focuses on delivering top-quality, reliable, complete solutions, whether new builds or retrofits. Ensuring that the customers continue to have success with their systems as the vessels and systems age and they remain reliable and ensure efficient operations is very important to the company. Bjarni Þór emphasizes that by continually reviewing the entire system, especially

Gilson Winches. Photo: Naust Marine

Control system cabinets. Photo: Naust Marine, Spain

Anchor winches. Photo: Naust Marine

Success lies in cooperation and integrated solutions

Marel is an international company that has a mission to transform the way food is processed, with the aim of improving the use of raw materials and thus increasing value added for all. All of this is about finding the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly overall solution so that nothing goes to waste – from the time the fish is caught to the time it is consumed.

Marel is by far the largest company listed on the Icelandic market. The company was founded in 1983 and began as an innovator in onboard weighing technology for the Icelandic fish industry. Strategic acquisitions over the years have added to their history and experience. The company describes itself as being "an international team of problem solvers, who feed off each other’s drive for creating leading solutions and transform ing the future of food". Their vision is to create a world where quality food is produced more efficiently, sustainably, and affordably.

Marel is the leading global supplier of advanced standalone equip ment and integrated systems for the fish industry. Marel products and solutions help fish processors optimize yield, quality, throughput and other critical factors across the whole value chain. Ranging from indi vidual units for specific processes to complete solutions, their equip ment is built for the harsh processing environment, with hygiene and safety in mind.

Úlfar Karl Arnórsson, the product director at Marel Fish, explains the company's history in more detail. "The company traces its origins from a project at the University of Iceland in 1977 where university students decided that they wanted to improve value creation in the fishing industry which led to the founding of the company in 1983. Based on that, operations within the industry snowballed and in 1997, the business started scaling through acquisitions. It all began with the fish industry in Iceland but now Marel serves four protein pillars; poultry, meat, fish and most recently plant, pet and feed, through the acquisition of Wenger."

Sustainability and utilization go hand in hand

Essentially, everything Marel does is about sustainability – and adding value, according to Úlfar. "In most cases, it's about sustainable goals.

If we take the wildcatch fishing industry as an example, it's about the fact that the marine resource, the catch in the sea, is not an infinite resource and therefore we have to somehow maximize the value. Whether it is for a compavalue in ISK, or value for humanity as an environmentally friendly protein source,"

Bára Huld Beck

The MS 2750 is an advanced filleting machine designed for high-level performance in processing.

Úlfar Karl Arnórsson, Director of Products at Marel Fish.

In this way, Marel is doing its bit to make the best of the raw material when it comes to human consumption and to use the resource as well as possible. Sustainability and utilization thus go hand in hand.

"Improving utilization by just 1 percent, when you look at it on an annual basis for the Icelandic cod-like quota, will generate the early protein need for over 30.000 people," he points out.

„It all began with the fish industry in Iceland but now Marel serves four protein pillars; poultry, meat, fish and most recently plant, pet and feed.“

Iceland is a leader in the fishing industry

Úlfar says that one of the main reasons why Marel is the leader in whitefish processing is because the company was founded in Iceland. "Looking back, it wasn't that many years ago that this island was quite isolated. While the industrial revolution was underway on the European continent, Iceland was a very isolated country and everything revolved largely around the fishing industry. We have an Icelandic saying "neyðin kennir naktri konu að spinna", which directly translates to "distress teaches a naked woman to spin" and I think this saying really captures the innovative mindset these early fishing entrepreneurs showed. These pioneers have embedded a willingness and attitude in Icelandic fishing culture to get the best out of this resource we have." Years back, overfishing occurred in Icelandic territorial waters, but later there was a growing awareness that it was not possible to continue like that. It was not possible to fish endlessly from the sea without destroying this natural resource, and so these entrepreneurs began to wonder how to make the most of what mother nature provided. "Iceland has, thus, been leading in the fishing industry in general. Many of these companies are family businesses, and within them were these forward thinking entrepreneurs who were willing to take big risks and reap what they sow. These are the companies that have helped make

Marel Marel: By working together and developing solutions, we are doing this with them and for them. This is what makes us successful."

“Iceland has, thus, been leading in the fishing industry in general. Many of these companies are family businesses, and within them were these forward thinking entrepreneurs who were willing to take big risks and reap what they sow.”

Marel's specialty lies in integrated solutions

Many companies around the world focus on finding solutions for the fishing industry. In Úlfar's opinion, however, Marel stands out compared to other companies. "What makes Marel special is that the company is not trying to solve each step individually, but is always trying to optimize the whole process. We are always trying to expand our scope when it comes to this entire value chain. In fact, it's about combining each step in the process, and if you have control over the whole, you will get more out of it than the sum of the steps."

He points out that by understanding what is happening earlier in the process, you can make the right decisions later on and vice versa.

"This is also what makes Marel Marel. The customer can come to us and get a complete solution, and they know they're going to get more out of it than if they went to a bunch of different suppliers and picked up all kinds of equipment."

The FleXicut is ideal for processors of various whitefish such as cod, saithe, pollock and haddock, the FleXicut offers maximum portioning flexibility in a compact solution.

The I-Slice 3400 slices, and batches salmon and smoked salmon to fit every pack’s size and weight.

“We identify our core competencies and focus on them to create a competitive edge and in order to complete the value chain, we work with partners. We are simply stronger together.”

Stronger together

Marel focuses on developing digital smart solutions for their customers, with an emphasis on automation, data utilization and sustainability. Úlfar emphasizes that one of the most important things when companies set goals is to understand what they bring to the table; where their strengths lie.

He says that it is not realistic for Marel to try to solve everything by themselves and that is why cooperation is so important. "We identify our core competencies and focus on them to create a competitive edge and in order to complete the value chain, we work with partners. We are simply stronger together."

Most recently Marel Fish made a strategic partnership with MMC First Process with this exact thinking in mind. This partnership underscores a mutual commitment to drive positive change through innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in fish handling and processing. By filling in complementary gaps, the alliance enhances a complete product offering throughout the value chain, providing customers with the convenience of a comprehensive one-stop-shop experience.

„What makes Marel special is that the company is not trying to solve each step individually, but is always trying to optimize the whole process.“

Innovation is never far away

When Marel started operations, it was an innovative company but what is the state of innovation these days? Úlfar says that Marel continues to invest heavily in innovation, in 2022 the investment amounted to around €100m. "Marel has exceptionally strong innovation teams across the organization and the world developing products for these four protein pillars and we are able to cross utilize knowledge, experience and products. As diversity is one of the key ingredient for innovation this setup elevates what is possible. Marel Fish has innovation teams in both Iceland and Denmark and bringing together those subtle culture differences creates value that is hard to come by. With the company's expansion, the requirements towards our developments increases and comparing the company now to the early days is difficult but I think you can ask any of our employees what words describing our culture and innovation will be one of those words."

At the seafood exhibition in Barcelona, Marel will focus on connected solutions for sustainable seafood. "We are creating more value for the customer by having integrated solutions. It's not only about these small steps, but the complete solution – from the time the fish is caught or farmed until it's consumed."

Úlfar Karl Arnórsson, Director of Products at Marel Fish.

Research and Innovation in Food Production

Value creation, public health and food safety

Growth is a long-distance run – not a sprint

For a remote country like Iceland with such a small population, it is essential to get your message out, especially when you have a world-class product. Fishing has been the backbone of Icelandic industry for centuries and remains so today. The country has many long-established and upstart seafood companies leveraging innovations to make the most of every fish.

Business Iceland is responsible for the branding and marketing of Iceland and Icelandic export industries. It supports Icelandic companies in entering foreign markets and facilitates foreign investment in the Icelandic economy. It has a statutory role, among other things, to help fishing companies promote themselves abroad.

Björgvin Þór Björgvinsson, head of fisheries and food, works with companies active in the fishing industry to promote themselves in foreign markets. He says Business Iceland is a promotional representative for all products and services. "Our focus is on promotion abroad. We do not promote much domestically unless the advertising strives to create awareness for foreign target groups visiting Iceland."

Tinna Hrund Birgisdóttir, an account manager for Innovation and Technology, says that Business Iceland does not sell products themselves

but identifies market opportunities and helps create forums where export companies can meet potential buyers. Tinna adds: "Business Iceland aims to increase Iceland's economic growth, and that is why we have a statutory role."

“People need to take a long term view. Fortunately, we have cooperated well with companies in the fishing industry and have worked with them on these projects.“

- Björgvin Þór Björgvinsson

Humble beginnings and project development

Business Iceland works with various stakeholders and projects, from locating a data center and filming a movie to promoting salted fish.

Björgvin explains his role within the organization and his primary project, Seafood from Iceland. The marketing aims to increase the awareness of Iceland's sustainable and premium seafood in foreign markets.

"The project traces its roots back to 2013 when Business Iceland worked on a joint marketing project with producers of salted fish.

Years have passed since then, but that project was considered an initiative because there was a certain crisis in the markets at that time.

Bára Huld Beck

Icelandic salt fish producers approached Business Iceland, as they had noticed an Icelandic marketing campaign aimed at tourists called Inspired by Iceland. Business Iceland was also working on a project related to the origin of products and certification. The project then evolved and grew from only salt fish to a wider variety from our white fish catch," Björgvin says.

Thus, the goal was to increase the markets for salt fish, which was only in Southern Europe – Italy, Spain, and Portugal – and expand to Northern Europe with other types of fish.

Björgvin says that these projects went incredibly well. "We have gotten a good number of companies to participate. We have the largest companies in Iceland on our team and excellent cooperation abroad. Of course, it varies from market to market. Still, we have been operating the longest in Southern Europe and found our groove there, and still have long-standing connections."

Business Iceland has also supported companies entering the British market, mainly through the Fish and Chips Association. "Most fish exported to the UK is frozen-at-sea fish, which goes mostly into that sector. We have also been working with chefs in France with restaurant promotions and media outreach.“

“We are lucky! Iceland has considerable experience and many unique innovations in marine technology. It is a fast-evolving sector.”

- Tinna Hrund Birgisdóttir

Fishing the long game

Business Iceland stresses to the companies they work with that when considering expansion, they should not expect to see results after only one – or even two years. "People need to take a long term view. Fortunately, we have cooperated well with companies in the fishing industry and have worked with them on these projects," says Björgvin. He likes the analogy that expansion is more of a long-distance run than a sprint in this business.

There has been a lot of demand for Icelandic products in foreign markets. "The good thing about this is that we have a world-class product, and our major buyers abroad know this all too well and are willing to pay a premium for it. They recognize the excellent and consistent quality." The challenge is that consumers are unaware that the fish they eat is from Iceland. Björgvin says that this is very common, although there are exceptions. "If you go into a specialty store or restaurant in Barcelona, you will likely know that the fish is from Iceland. The people know the quality there and recognize a long fishing and trading history with Iceland."

“It‘s such a win-win. It‘s so nice to take this kind of story abroad and talk to people about it.“

- Tinna Hrund Birgisdóttir

Iceland is a pioneer in marine technology

Part of Tinna's work at Business Iceland relates to marine technology. "We are lucky! Iceland has considerable experience and many unique innovations in marine technology. It is a fast-evolving sector. I have traveled to Canada among other countries where the equipment from Marel has become well known. It's inspiring to promote these companies and to introduce their solutions abroad."

Tinna quickly points out that cooperation in product development between vessel owners and technology companies is unique, likely due to Iceland's tightly-knit community of experts. "The development in this sector would not have been as successful without good cooperation between these parties."

Business Iceland's services in this sector involve helping companies attend seafood exhibitions abroad, the largest of which is the seafood exhibition in Barcelona. "We've focused on partnering with marine technology companies to create more opportunities. Our main geographical markets are Canada, and the United States."

„The sky‘s the limit. Our ingenuity is an inexhaustible resource when it comes to innovation and technology; by encouraging this mindset we can always do better and move forward.”

- Tinna Hrund Birgisdóttir

Around 800 visitors from Iceland last year

Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global, which is held in Barcelona, is the largest exhibition in the seafood industry in the world and Iceland has had a national booth at the exhibition from the beginning, that is, since 1993.

Last year, a total of 24 companies participated in a joint national booth organized by Business Iceland. Minister of Food, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, was among those who visited the exhibition there she experienced first-hand the power and ambition that Icelandic exhibitors put into exhibiting.

The seafood exhibition in Barcelona is international and considered the most progressive in the world that seafood companies and parties which service the seafood industry have to offer. The exhibition has been growing in recent years with the estimated number of visitors from Iceland reaching around 800 last year.

Björgvin Þór Björgvinsson, head of fisheries and food. Photo: Business Iceland Tinna Hrund Birgisdóttir, an account manager for Innovation and Technology. Photo: Business Iceland

Minister of Food, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, was among those who visited the exhibition last year there she experienced first-hand the power and ambition that Icelandic exhibitors put into exhibiting. Photo: Business Iceland

A win-win situation

Iceland is a small country up against intense global competition in the fishing industry. When Tinna is asked what makes Iceland unique in this business, she says the answer is sustainability. "This story of sustainability deserves focus and recognition across all industries. In fishing, we have hygiene technologies and rapid cooling technologies used to extend a product's shelf life. And there is food processing equipment that uses less energy, and allows us to make high-value products from B-products. We must recognize the tremendous production and technological gains from companies such as Marel and others that have enhanced food processing safety, efficiency, and yield. The gains made here are game-changing." She says all this technology is used to get the maximum value out of each fish caught , making the process sustainable and environmentally friendly. "It's such a win-win. It's so nice to take this kind of story abroad and talk to people about it."

„Companies must stand together and believe they are more influential by collaboratively promoting Iceland and Icelandic fish.“

- Björgvin Þór Björgvinsson

The sky's the limit

Few people see the ins and outs of the business as much as Tinna. So, how does she envision the future of Icelandic ingenuity? The answer is simple: "The sky's the limit. Our ingenuity is an inexhaustible resource when it comes to innovation and technology; by encouraging this mindset we can always do better and move forward. So I believe there are exciting times ahead regarding technological advancements in the industry."

Tinna adds that this is especially true with many large Icelandic companies achieving great success and the tendency for them to aim even higher. It is human nature. "There is still a lot of growth in this business – also for small, agile companies," she says, citing fishing with laser technology as an example, and adding, "It's inspiring!" Björgvin agrees with Tinna. "Yes, this applies at all levels, from wanting to keep the cold chain unbroken to when the product is on the market."

Iceland's small market can be challenging

Despite the success and bright future of Icelandic companies in this business, there are challenges. Tinna points out that the country's small size imposes certain limitations. "I would say it's a challenge. There are many projects and many exciting possibilities. Still, sometimes, too few hands are on deck, which can be frustrating. This is actually very

Icelandic; many people play many roles in the same company. We see from our colleagues in similar positions in the Nordics that there are more human resources available to work on the projects."

In this context, Björgvin points out that Business Iceland has operated briefly compared to similar institutions abroad. "However, we are beginning to see results, and I think patience is needed. Companies must stand together and believe they are more influential by collaboratively promoting Iceland and Icelandic fish. This task is difficult, but I think that is true."

In this way, Icelandic companies benefit from cooperation. He believes the projects have been well received, but the companies must continue unabated and find their groove.

The competitiveness of Icelandic seafood is crucial for the country's economic system. Björgvin says, "At Business Iceland, we hear that Icelandic products have reasonable prices compared to their quality. Of course, the cost of living in Iceland is high, and fish is expensive for local residents too. However, we offer a premium fish product that should be, I believe, in the highest price range."

He takes the example of the other day when he was in a German delicatessen and saw Icelandic and Norwegian fish on the counter. The Norwegian fish was selling for 40 Euros, and the Icelandic one for 50 Euros. "This is precisely what we want. Well-off consumers are willing to pay extra for a choice Icelandic product. That is what we want."

„This is precisely what we want. Well-off consumers are willing to pay extra for a choice Icelandic product. That is what we want.“

- Björgvin Þór Björgvinsson

The return to normal

As everyone knows, the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world a few years back, and the fishing industry was no exception. Exhibitions were canceled, and many companies struggled to survive in the challenging conditions. Now, however, everything is returning to normal.  Tinna says that after the pandemic ended, people have been very interested in participating in seafood exhibitions – especially after all the global lockdowns.

She believes there has been a return to a balance, which resembles what it was like before the pandemic hit. "People are eager to go to seafood exhibitions and talk to others. I must say that the situation has reached a certain equilibrium."

Björgvin agrees with Tinna and notes that the situation significantly impacted many markets, especially in Southern Europe. He says, "It was very tough, for example, in Spain and Portugal, and of course elsewhere." Tinna adds that most companies have recovered after the pandemic – some better than others – but overall, the situation is good and returning to normal in her opinion.

Last year, a total of 24 companies participated in a joint national booth organized by Business Iceland. Photo: Business Iceland

ALL KINDS OF PACKAGING FOR FISH PRODUCTS AND SO MUCH MORE....

We look forward to see you in Seafood Processing Global (SPG) in Barcelona

Kristjan Karl Adalsteinsson HEAD OF ACCOUNT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Samey Robotics: Revolutionizing the Seafood Industry through global innovation and local Service

Introduction:

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the Icelandic company Samey Robotics has emerged as a global leader in seafood robotization, spearheading transformative changes in the way fresh fish is sourced, processed, and packed. With a commitment to innovation and a focus on local service, Samey Robotics is revolutionizing the seafood supply chain, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and quality. In this article, we delve into the core of Samey Robotics' mission, its groundbreaking technologies, and its impact on the seafood industry worldwide.

Samey Robotics: A Beacon of Innovation in Seafood Robotization:

Since its foundation more than three decades ago, Samey Robotics has been on a mission to revolutionize the seafood industry through automation and now by implementing artificial intelligence into its solution. With a deep understanding of the complexities inherent in seafood processing, Samey Robotics has developed a cutting-edge

robotic solution tailored to meet the unique challenges of the frozen fillet sector. From fish sorting and grading to packaging, Samey Robotics' robotic systems offer unprecedented precision, speed, and reliability, transforming every step of the seafood supply chain.

MOWI Arctic Fish Bolungarvik plant palletizing

Salmon box palletizing

Global Innovation, Local Service:

Central to Samey Robotics' spirit is the principle of global innovation, servicing locally. While the company operates on a global scale, its approach to serving clients is deeply rooted in local expertise and understanding. By collaborating closely with seafood producers, processors, and distributors in various regions, Samey Robotics ensures that its solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs and challenges of each market. This localized approach not only enhances the effectiveness of its robotic systems but also fosters long-term partnerships and trust within the industry. Samey Robotics in Iceland has been considered the market leader in robotics for the aquaculture industry world-wide for more than 25 years. In 2022 Samey Robotics established in Norway new sales and service branch named Samey Robotics AS and the new facilities is in the strategic location of Averøy Norway. Our local sales and service team serve new equipment enquires, SLA contracts and other service requests such as all spare parts supply to the Norwegian market, thus saving both valuable time and cost.

The Impact of Samey Robotics on the Seafood Supply Chain:

The adoption of Samey Robotics' robotic solutions has had a profound impact on the seafood supply chain, revolutionizing operations and driving positive outcomes across the board. In seafood processing facilities, Samey Robotics' robots have streamlined production processes, increasing efficiency and throughput while reducing labour costs and raw material waste. With advanced imaging technology and AI-driven algorithms, these robots can precisely grade and select fish fillets, ensuring consistent quality, maximizing yield and minimizing give away.

Moreover, Samey Robotics' robotic systems have played a crucial role in enhancing food safety and traceability within the seafood industry. By automating critical tasks such as quality control, these systems minimize the risk of contamination and human error, safeguarding the integrity of the supply chain from catch to consumer. This heightened focus on hygienic design and food safety not only meets regulatory requirements but also builds consumer confidence and trust in the seafood products.

Partnerships Driving Innovation:

Central to Samey Robotics' success in revolutionizing the seafood industry is its strategic partnerships and collaborations. By teaming up with industry leaders, technology providers, and research institutions, Samey Robotics has been able to harness the latest advancements in robotics, AI, and automation to develop cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving needs of the seafood sector. One such notable collaboration is with FANUC, a leading provider of industrial robots, whose support has been instrumental in advancing Samey Robotics' capabilities in seafood robotization.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead:

Despite its remarkable achievements, Samey Robotics faces a range of challenges as it continues to innovate and expand its presence in the seafood industry. Key among these challenges are regulatory complexities, technological limitations, and the need for ongoing investment in research and development. However, with a steadfast commitment to excellence and a focus on continuous improvement, Samey Robotics remains focused to overcome these challenges and seize the myriad opportunities that lie ahead.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Samey Robotics stands as a beacon of innovation in the seafood industry, driving transformative changes through its pioneering robotic solutions and commitment to global innovation, serviced locally. By harnessing the power of automation and artificial intelligence, Samey Robotics is revolutionizing the way fish is processed, packed and distributed, enhancing efficiency, safety, and quality across the seafood supply chain. As the company continues to push the boundaries of technology and forge new partnerships, the future of seafood robotization looks brighter than ever, promising a world where quality seafood is readily available, sustainably sourced, and safely delivered to consumers worldwide.

Fresh whitefish palletizing

Tub infeed and washing system

Rakel Ýr Pétursdóttir manages the family business. She says that the younger generation is much more aware of safety at sea.

Raised awareness about the safety of fishermen

Markus Lifenet is an established Icelandic company which specializes in development and manufacture of a-man-overboard recovery products, made for all types of boats, ships, offshore installations, quay areas and similar land based water sides. Rakel Ýr Pétursdóttir, managing director of the company, says that there has been a big change in attitudes regarding safety at sea in recent decades.

Markus Lifenet is primarily a production company, but it is best known for the so-called Markusnet. The Markusnet is a rescue device that enables one person to react immediately and effectively to a-man-overboard situation along a ship side or quay. The net enables rescuers to lift the victim in seconds, despite the freeboard height of the vessel, thereby greatly decreasing the level of danger. It can also be used with a crane. It provides the ability to lift or hoist crew members while standing or sitting in the net. It can also be used to lift or hoist unconscious crew members in a horizontal position.

The Markusnet type MS is mandatory equipment on decked vessels in several countries. It is also standard equipment in all harbors in Iceland and is now the model for international standards. It is manufactured in several standard versions, depending on freeboard height.

However, the company produces more products than the Markusnet. The Markus MOB Emergency ladder for boat type MEL2 is for example a two mesh wide ladder designed both for leisure boats and workboats of all types. It is intended to provide a person that has fallen overboard, and a rescue swimmer that has to enter the water, with the possibility to pull the ladder down and climb back on board.

The descendants took over the role

The Markusnet is the invention of Rakel Pétursdóttir's grandfather, Markús B. Þorgeirsson, who died when she was only four years old in 1984. "I heard various stories about him," she says with a smile, but he was very concerned about the safety of fishermen. He himself was a captain for many years.

Rakel's father, Pétur Th. Pétursson, took over operations after his fatherin-law died, but Pétur continued to develop the idea for the Markusnet. "The idea was that this would be a complete piece of equipment – a first intervention in the rescue. His first thought was to connect with a man who has fallen overboard," says Rakel.

Markús came up with this idea in the late seventies. He continued to experiment with the use of fishing nets, but later his descendants started to work with other quality materials. The equipment thus gradually became more compact and portable. In 1999, the Markusnet was fully developed as it is today. "We wanted to maintain the design and the recognition that equipment has," says Rakel.

Bára Huld Beck

Yachts also need safety equipment

Next, her father Pétur designed a smaller ladder, which was her grandfather's original idea, but he didn't get around to finishing that idea before he died. That ladder is intended as an emergency ladder for smaller boats and sailboats.

Her grandfather developed his ideas with work boats in mind, but over time Markus Net's safety equipment has also been designed for luxury yachts. "The rich also need to be saved," says Rakel.

"There has been a certain awareness among these yachts. It is important to have some safety equipment on board, but it should preferably not be seen because yachts always have a certain look. Our product is well suited for that as our equipment is considerably lighter than that of the competitors and it is more portable. It can be stored indoors and it does not have to be seen outside. It is easy to grab and place. It does not have to be stored to any specific spot. That's what we focus on. We have more portable equipment than many others."

“There has been a certain awareness among these yachts. It is important to have some safety equipment on board, but it should preferably not be seen because yachts always have a certain look.“

Some laughed at the idea at first

Rakel´s grandfather lost several friends and colleagues overboard when he was a captain. "He just wanted to find some solution so no one would have to end up in that situation," says Rakel. There has been an increased awareness of the safety of fishermen since the last century and a lot has changed during this time. Rakel says that when her grandfather first came up with the concept of a special rescue equipment, some people laughed at the idea. Why use up space on a ship for something like this?

"I have heard that my grandfather was a very stubborn man and I understand that, as it takes a certain stubbornness to get this idea into people's minds: That there needs to be some equipment on board to bring people back from the sea because you can't rely on someone knowing how to throw out a line, and if a line is thrown out, how can you get the per son on board?"

She says her grandfather thought life buoys weren't enough. "A life buoy is, of course, a definite connection to the ship, but it is not necessarily suitable for getting the person up. There have been accidents where the connection has been achieved but the person has not been able to get up and subsequently they have died."

Rakel adds that her experience at seafood exhibitions shows that the younger generation is much more aware of safety at sea. "These are kids who have learned to use helmets on bikes and grew up wearing seat belts in cars. For them, it is normal to use safety equipment on a ship. So there has been a tremendous awakening in this regard. This is a good development."

"Friendly competition" in the market

Although the company is Icelandic, it sells by far the least in Iceland. "However, we sell all over the world. We sell to Viking, which is our largest distributor. Then we have very strong salespeople in the United States and the United Kingdom. We sell to Australia, Dubai, China, Europe and a lot in Rotterdam. We sell to Sweden and Denmark. We are just all over the place," says Rakel. There are products on the market similar to the Scramble-nets, but not many. Rakel says that there is "friendly competition" between the companies that produce similar products. "For example, at seafood exhibitions, we compare notes and talk about our projects. I don't think there is any harshness in this market."

When Rakel is asked what is most fun about doing this job, she answers simply: "The history that we have. It's fun to have this purpose and I love my work."

“A life buoy is, of course, a definite connection to the ship, but it is not necessarily suitable for getting the person up.“

Markús B. Þorgeirsson, the inventor of the Markusnet, was himself a captain for many years. He was very concerned about the safety of fishermen.

The Markusnet is a rescue device that enables one person to react immediately and effectively to a-man-overboard situation along a ship side or quay. It can be used with a crane.

Challenging to be a woman in this business

Although the work is rewarding, Rakel says that being a woman in a sea-related job can be challenging. For example, she says that she needs to have a certain title or status in order to be noticed.

As an example of this attitude, she mentions that when she brings a male employee to accompany her to a seafood exhibitions, people often assumed that the man is the boss and she the employee. It is not expected that a woman can manage a company like Markus Lifenet. Rakel has also been told that she is only the "cute girl in the booth" when she has been to such exhibitions, but she says that sometimes tedious men take the opportunity to put women down.

"But you acquire a thicker skin over time and start to answer back," says Rakel, adding that after many years in the business you get used to it. "It is actually intolerable to have to endure such an attitude. You shouldn't have to put up with this." However, Rakel wants to point out that the younger generation, women and men, do not treat her like this, and therefore it is yet another attitude that has changed for the better.

“These are kids who have learned to use helmets on bikes and grew up wearing seat belts in cars. For them, it is normal to use safety equipment on a ship. So there has been a tremendous awakening in this regard.“

The Markus MOB Emergencyladder is designed both for leisure boats and workboats of all types. It is intended to provide a person that has fallen overboard and a rescue swimmer that has to enter the water the possibility to pull the ladder down and climb back on board.

The MOB Rescue-net is designed for use on SOLAS type MOB Rescue boats to roll an unconscious MOB onboard in a horizontal position. Alternatively it can be used as a scramble-net or emergency ladder.

Collagen from Lumpfish

Matís has for a long time worked on projects that aim at finding promising opportunities to improve utilisation, sustainability, and value from Icelandic biological resources. One of those projects is related to extraction of the protein collagen from fish skin.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin of most animals on earth and in the sea. This protein is present in the skin, cartilage, and bones. Today it is used in biomaterial and in bio engineering as well as in cosmetic and pharmaceuticals. It is then available as a complement under the form of pills or powder to be added to drinks. Most of the collagen, today is coming from mammals but due to religious reasons and health reasons, collagen from marine sources demand is increasing. Lumpfish is a pelagic fish that lives in the cold seas. The adults (females mainly) are targeted during fishing for their roes (lumpfish caviar). In Iceland, between 2 and 10 thousand tonnes of female lumpfish are fished per year. The rest of the fish is today mainly sent frozen to Asia for human consumption. Juveniles’ lumpfish is used in salmon aquaculture pens to eat sea lice on the salmon. However, once they grow, their feeding pattern is changing, and they are losing their interest for the aquaculture companies. They are then removed from the pens and used for fish meal.

Therefore, there is space for better valorisation of lumpfish (both juvenile and adults) in Iceland. However, numerous challenges are faced to reach that path. First, there is a technical challenge, as the lumpfish have a really specific shape, mechanical processing is impossible, therefore, on adults, all the processing is done by hand (removing of the roes). Secondly, the juvenile from the aquaculture are very small and therefore challenging to isolate them from other streams during aquaculture and to process them even by hand. Finally, there is the

knowledge gap on how the rest of the lumpfish can be processed. The project Hrognkelsakollagen is led by Matís in collaboration with Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI / Hafró), Marine Collagen, Arctic fish and Háskóli Íslands funded by Matvælasjóður. The primary aim was to evaluate the possibility of using lumpfish as a source of collagen, both adults and juveniles. The other aims were to find valorisation pathways for the under valorised part of adult lumpfish and for the juveniles once they are not useful anymore in the salmon pens. The first focus was on adult lumpfish. The skin was manually removed, and gelatine (partly hydrolysed collagen – soluble in water) was extracted from it. Multiple methods were tested to evaluate the feasibility of different extraction methods. Some extraction methods result in a really dark product and has a low yield. After repeated and updated tests, and to include more steps than in production of gelatine from for example cod, a nice, white product like shown on the picture below was produced.

Dried gelatine extracted from adult female lumpfish skin using method developed in the project. Photo/MATÍS

Lumpfish female. Photo/MATÍS

When the enzyme pepsin was used in small quantity, it improved the yield of the extraction. The bloom strength (measure explaining how resistant the gelatine is. One example to understand would be if you are making jelly for a dessert, it could be stiff or jiggly, meaning it would have different bloom strength), of the gelatine produced is low compared to commercial fish gelatine (40 to 80 for the lumpfish skin against 200 for the tilapia skin gelatine that can be found on the market). Due to this low bloom strength, and to the fact that lumpfish is a cold water fish, meaning that the gelatine extracted is liquid when dissolved in water at room temperature (only solid solution under 14°C), the potential use for this gelatine would only be as hydrolysates, or in powder form.

Regarding the processing of the juvenile lumpfish, as due to their small size, it will be impossible to separate the skin from the rest of the fish, they will need to be processed whole. Three different types of processing were tried: keeping the juvenile whole, cutting them in pieces and mixing them completely. To avoid too many contaminations from the parts that are not skin (e.g. muscle, viscera and bones), it was decided to try first to extract the proteins easily accessible (protein isolate) using what has previously been tested extensively at Matís called the pH shift method. There after the rest pieces were then separated from the liquid. An acid was used on the liquid to coagulate the proteins and recover them (protein isolate). First results were promising but more work is needed to improve the yield of the proteins recovered. On the rest parts, the gelatine was extracted with the same method used for the adult lumpfish. The yield obtained was low, and the gelatine extracted did not form a gel. The understanding was that the collagen in the skin of juvenile lumpfish is not as resistant as in adult lumpfish, therefore the method was too harsh, and broke the gelatine links, not allowing a jellification in water.

Overall, this project allowed to show the potential of both juvenile and adult lumpfish as potential future provider of both protein isolate and gelatine from marine sources. More research work is needed to reach market scale, but the proof of concept has been shown.

Cecile Dargentolle, Project manager at Matís. Photo/MATÍS

Margrét Geirsdóttir, Project manager at Matís. Photo/MATÍS

From various sources

Specialized in development and manufacturing of man overboard recovery systems. Most known for the Markusnet type MS and the variety of Markus Scramble -nets type SCN, Markus Emergency ladders type MEL2/SCN2 and Throw -line type RLC.

Emergency ladder

www.Markusnet.com

MOB Boat Rescue-net

Markusnet

For commercial and leisure. Lloyd´s Register EMEA type approved

For upto 1,8 metre freeboard. Provides safe passage back on board at the side of the boat, can be pulled down from the water and it is made to go 1 metre into the water in lowered position.

Light, quick fastening, takes little space, provides easy and fast method to place the casualty in the net, is soft but firm around the casualty, provides easy lift by one or two persons and is easy to repack after use Markus

Throw line

For all types of ships and boats. Ideal to carry on hikes near water.

Markus Lifenet ehf