The success of Icelanders in increased value creation in the fisheries sector is particularly great in the case of our most valuable species, cod. In 2016, the export value of Icelanders' landed cod catch was 3.15 dollars per kg 4.6 times more than in 1981. The 2016 cod catch returned 2.6 times more value than in 1981, although the catch in 2016 was only 57% of the 1981 catch.
In 2016, Icelanders caught 1 million 67 thousand tons, exported seafood amounted to 579 thousand tons. For every kg of seafood exported, we received 2.5 times more in 2016 than in 2003, but that year a strategic decision was made to increase the value of seafood through research and development. It was also decided to focus on the value of products rather than the quantity of raw materials.
The results are even greater if we look at our most valuable species, cod. In 2016, the export value of Icelanders' landed cod catch was 3.15 dollars per kg 4.6 times more than in 1981. The 2016 cod catch returned 2.6 times more value than in 1981, although the 2016 cod catch was only 57% of the 1981 cod catch.
The above figures were stated in the case of Anna Kristín Daníelsdóttir, director of research and innovation at Matís, when she tried to answer: What does a strong bioeconomy require, in a talk she gave recently Ministerial meeting which dealt with best use of ocean-related opportunities which was held in connection with the World Congress on Maritime Affairs WSC2017. For years, the bioeconomy has been discussed as an economy based on the utilization of living resources, a bioeconomy based on knowledge was extensive in research and development work 2007-2013 (e. Knowledge Based Bioeconomy). The key is not to go too close to the resources, not to take more than to ensure the growth and development of the resources. An economy is not based solely on catching or slaughtering fish in moderation, sustainability is certainly the foundation, but value creation is determined by treatment, processing technology and disposal.
Extensive collaboration
Arnljótur Bjarki Bergsson, Director of Implementation and Influence at Matís, says about the emphasis on the utilization of research and development for value creation: Following that policy, we have sailed and we have reached where we wanted to go, we make more of what we fish and every kilo is more valuable.
Healthy safe seafood promotes public health. Common infrastructure and knowledge for the development of industries have been built up and used in collaboration with the above results. Understanding the laws of the market helps - instead of trying to sell what is being produced, we are working to produce what is being sold. Knowledge has been created through collaboration between universities, various companies and Matís. Matís teaches postgraduate studies in food science at the University of Iceland, as well as processing technology at the University of Akureyri. Research infrastructures have been used to develop methods for processing catches into the most valuable products. New products have appeared. Fisheries companies have new measurement services, just like companies in the food industry in general, to meet the requirements. Companies in the fisheries sector have used the collaboration with Matís to create new and greater value, the same story can be told about industrial companies that serve the food industry in this country. Such co-operation has contributed to the above-mentioned results. "
Various knowledge and skills of Matís employees have contributed to the development that the Icelandic fisheries sector has undergone, the introduction of knowledge has strengthened the Icelandic fisheries sector, just like the Icelandic food industry, including the utilization of biotechnology.
"Responsible fishing, on a scientific basis, and an emphasis on quality, ensure operating conditions in primary production and open up new opportunities in related industries. With improved catch handling, the quality is better preserved which makes diverse utilization possible. Disciplined work practices in one place solve problems in another, opening paths into new markets with new products. Improved utilization of raw materials reduces incentives for overfishing. Responsibility supports sustainability that increases efficiency and creates scope for research and development. Iceland is one of the largest fishing nations in the world and one of the few countries where the fisheries sector invests in the common funds of the people. This is where innovations emerge that attract attention in many parts of the world that others try to emulate.
At the successful WSC2017 conference, it was obvious that more and more people are turning their eyes to the sea, because there are opportunities for increased utilization of marine and water life resources, for example for food production. The universe's attention is increasingly drawn to the fact that over 95% of the world's food production is practiced on land that is less than 1/3 of the earth's surface, cultivated land is under great stress due to use and rapid changes in environmental factors "adds Arnljótur Bjarki.
Then Arnljótur mentions Bjarki, World Goals 14, life under the surface of the water "was naturally voluminous at the conference and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a special seminar on the subject. The participants of WSC2017 thought it was a good idea to come to Iceland to discuss the issue of seafood, as Iceland, after the implementation of the economic zone, has broken out of the vicious circle of careless handling of marine resources, waste, when the emphasis was placed on quantity over quality, with unsafe operating conditions of companies in primary production and related articles".
Development in line with needs
There was a great deal of agreement at the WSC2017 conference. In the case of Sigurður Ólason, Managing Director of the Marel Fisheries Center, the importance of emphasizing the development and distribution of seafood became clear, well-managed fisheries are truly profitable, but there are great opportunities in the processing and distribution of seafood, where development is needed. "After a long time with the development of processing and distribution of seafood, which has something in the country to be considered comparable to profitable meat processing, one does not talk about the big brands in the food market," says Arnljótur Bjarki and adds in the end: "We Icelanders have done well, but we can do better. "