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A new and magnificent research vessel has been handed over to the Tanzanian government. It will be useful for research on fish stocks in Lake Tanganyika, which is one of the main sources of food in the country as well as in neighboring Burundi, Congo and Zambia.

Matís employees recently handed over a well-equipped research vessel for Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania to the Tanzanian government. With the delivery of the vessel, Matís' two-year development cooperation project in Tanzania formally ends, which, among other things, aimed to develop processing methods for fish and improve research resources and understanding of the aquatic environment. Many people base their livelihoods on fishing in the lake, as it is the second largest freshwater body in the world, although fishing and processing methods are primitive.

Promotes sustainable development

"With increased knowledge of the chemical composition of the water and the ecosystem, it is possible to promote the sustainable development of fish stocks and strengthen the integration of fisheries. The vessel will therefore be useful for research and assessment of fish stock sizes and for understanding the chemical development in the water, "says Margeir Gissurarson, project manager at Matís.  

Lake Tanganyika is located on the borders of Burundi, Congo, Tanzania and Zambia and is an important fishery resource with a unique biological ecosystem. The lake is about 32 thousand square kilometers in size or about a third of the area of Iceland.

Matís regularly participates in development cooperation projects around the world. This co-operation, for example, contributes to the development of knowledge in the food industry in developing countries at the Icelandic Development Cooperation Agency, the United Nations University and others working on development co-operation.

The ship that was repaired	The new ship is equipped with precise equipment

A recent review report on per- and polyfluorinated alkanes (PFCs) revealed that there is a considerable lack of physicochemical data on a large proportion of these substances. However, there are indications that they can cause serious toxicity and harm to human and animal health.

The aim of the project was to obtain further information on how PFCs are used and released in the Nordic countries and the Arctic. The summary report was prepared by Matís in collaboration with a group of experts in the Nordic countries, for KLIF (Norwegian Climate and Pollution Agency) and the Nordic Chemistry Group (NKG), which is part of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Affect reproduction

PFC materials are a very large and complex group of organic substances that have diverse functions. They have been produced for about 50 years by chemical synthesis, but they are not formed by nature. They are widely used in industry and in homes. Their use has so far been considered safe and therefore considerable. However, scientists' concerns began to arise when the widespread distribution of the substances was discovered in the environment (including polar bears), especially in light of research suggesting that PFCs may, for example, affect reproduction and that they degrade particularly slowly in nature.

Following these discoveries, the EU's attention has now been focused on examining the use and classification of these substances. The OECD has registered a total of 853 different fluoride compounds and more will be added to the group. This figure indicates that a number of more fluorinated substances are used today, at the same time as little is known about the sources of the substances and even less about their distribution and environmental impact.

The project work was divided into three main components. First, an analysis of the main per- and polyfluorinated substances and their use in various industries in the Nordic market. Secondly, an analysis of possible emissions and impacts in the Nordic environment and thirdly, a summary of knowledge about the toxicity of priority substances in this survey. The effects on both humans and animals were examined.

Few scientific studies on PFCs

The results show that there is a considerable lack of information on most PFCs in the Nordic market. In very few cases is there accurate market information on their chemical composition, quantity, production and use. However, current legislation does not require the publication of information on certain PFCs. These gaps are due to ignorance and trade secrets. Only a few scientific studies have been conducted on most PFCs in the Nordic environment and little or no research has been done on the effects of the substances on humans. However, animal toxicity studies have shown that individual PFCs can adversely affect normal development, reproduction and the immune system by reducing body weight, causing hepatotoxicity and affecting the endocrine system. sex and thyroid hormones.

When there is toxicity due to PFCs, there is rarely a single substance to blame, but it is usually a mixture of various PFCs mixed with other environmental factors. Future research on PFCs therefore needs to focus on the effects of mixing PFCs and their derivatives. In addition, there is a need for reference material for analysis, data on toxicology and information on their existence in humans and the environment. 

The research report was published as a Tema Nord report and can be accessed on the website Nordic Council of Ministers.

Icelanders have long been known for their salted fish production, but it has been one of the foundations of the Icelandic economy, despite the fact that salt is mostly imported. A recent study indicates, however, that if Icelandic salt is used for the effect, the efficiency of the product increases.

Salting has been one of the main storage methods for Icelanders, along with drying and pickling for centuries. In Iceland, however, it was often difficult to utilize salting as there was a considerable shortage of salt in Iceland until the 17th century, as there was not enough knowledge here about processing salt from the sea. Here, too, there is not enough sun for sun-drying salt, as is well known abroad. Therefore, salt had to be imported and salted fish processing became popular in Iceland, as access to salt increased. Exports of salted fish began around 1800 and Iceland soon became one of the largest producers of salted fish in the world, and it has since been one of our most important export products and for a long time well established Icelandic economy.

The consumption of salted fish is based on an old tradition and consumption is particularly high in Southern Europe and Latin America. Therefore, salted fish processing is still an important part of catfish processing, despite the fact that modern technology offers other storage methods such as cooling or freezing. The reason for this is the special taste characteristics that salted fish has and is formed by its action where the smell, appearance and texture change.

Salted fish have a high shelf life and are mainly based on the fact that the salt reduces the proportion of water in the fish muscle, which prevents the growth of microorganisms. When processing salted fish, the key is to use high-quality food salt to ensure the quality of the product. Attempts have been made in Iceland to process salt domestically, and a recent study was carried out here at Matís in collaboration with the company Agnir ehf. and Keilir Energy and Technology School, which aimed to use the geothermal sea in Reykjanes to produce salt, which could be used in salted fish production, among other things. The project was funded by the AVS Fisheries Research Fund and the Icelandic Technology Development Fund. A method was developed to produce salt with geothermal energy in Reykjanes. This production method is well suited for controlling the chemical composition of the salt, which is particularly important to ensure the correct effect. The salt extracted from the geothermal sea was compared with imported salt from the Mediterranean in the production of salted cod fillets. The results showed that higher utilization was obtained in the salted fish processing with salt extracted from the geothermal sea, and that the processing took less time as the uptake of salt into the cod muscle was higher compared to the imported salt. Salt extracted from the geothermal sea was therefore completely comparable in quality to imported salt. It is true once again that here in Iceland we have unique natural resources that we can use in a sustainable way, their purity and quality also make these products perfectly competitive and sought after.

How to deal with lifestyle-related diseases? - Interview with Svein Margeirsson, CEO of Matís.

Today, it is estimated that more than 2 billion people in the world have to deal with the consequences of overweight and obesity at the same time as almost one billion people are malnourished. The vast majority of obese people live in the West, where lifestyle-related diseases are now the main threat, while malaria and HIV are the main risk factors in the malnourished regions of the world. The threat of lifestyle diseases is real and has grown significantly in the last decade. Today, it is estimated that 86% deaths in Europe can be attributed to them.[1] But what can you do? Do the pharmaceutical industry need to be strengthened or can other solutions be found?

Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, believes that in order to reverse the trend, a change in the public's mindset and a concerted effort in the field of research and innovation in the food and biotechnology industry are needed. He says public health is the challenge of tomorrow, if we are to stop the lifestyle diseases that are a real epidemic in the West. But one of Matís' main roles is precisely to promote better public health.

How can the situation be addressed?

"In the fight against diseases such as scurvy, tuberculosis and measles, education and information played a key role as well as research. The same goes for lifestyle diseases. We should look at education and research, in line with the business world. Research by scientists, in collaboration with pharmaceutical and food companies, can achieve significant results. But for this to be realistic, new ways and priorities need to be sought, and it may well be that greater success for the whole is achieved by researching, developing and educating, in order to prevent lifestyle diseases instead of tackling them in a gigantic way. and an ever-expanding healthcare system. And in fact, all the ministers of education, finance and innovation of the Western world should ask themselves which way is more feasible and more beneficial to society in the long run. "

What has Matís put on the scales? 

"We believe that a vibrant economy, in the form of institutions and companies, is a prerequisite for welfare and quality of life. Sustainable use of resources is another prerequisite, and in order to be able to utilize resources in a sustainable way, a great deal of knowledge is needed. Therefore, the "knowledge industry" and the "raw material industry" go hand in hand, but are not opposites as is sometimes suggested.

"That is why we have placed great emphasis on increased connections with educational institutions, and it can be said that Matís has made good progress in the bridge construction that needs to take place between educational institutions, research companies and the business community. Experience shows how much that bridge can contribute to increased value creation. In addition, food production in Iceland largely takes place outside the capital area and since the establishment of Matís, emphasis has been placed on the operation of establishments all over the country to follow the emphasis and opportunities in each area, in collaboration with locals, which has given good in fact. " 

How does Matís envisage changing people's consumption patterns?

"We can undoubtedly look to Norway and learn from how they have developed a research and development program that aims to exploit and underpin the strengths of the Norwegians; fisheries, at the same time as looking to the future and focusing directly on how the Norwegian fisheries sector can contribute to solving the challenge of lifestyle diseases. Norwegians value things so that future food consumers will look at their health effects, no less than at getting a full stomach. Fiskeri og Havbruksfonden, which is in fact a huge Norwegian marketing program in the fisheries sector, under the management of the sector in that country, is the driving force behind this effort, in good cooperation with research institutes, universities, the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and the Norwegian Ministry of Health. "

 "In this country, there is a considerable need for us to use seafood for consumption, and in order for that to happen, the discourse on the fishing industry in society needs to be changed, which at present is mainly about quotas and fishing license fees, but not the benefits of consuming seafood. Today, young people, aged 17-26, eat an average of 30-40 g of fish a day, which is equivalent to about one bite, which is remarkable in light of what we know a lot about the health of seafood and the impact of lifestyle diseases on the health system. .[2] Increasing the consumption of seafood is, of course, just one example of an action that could contribute to better public health. "

"There are great opportunities in activating the entire value chain of education, research, development and innovation in this field. We must systematically address the major challenges in the field of public health, with research and development in the arsenal. Otherwise, there is a risk that the health care system will not be able to cope with the problem that afflicts society. We should be able to do better than that. "

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[1] Hannes Hrafnkelsson: "Chronic lifestyle diseases - the greatest threat to health today", Læknablaðið 5th issue, 99th year 2013.

[2] Gunnþórunn Einarsdóttir, "Attitudes and fish consumption of young people: Improving the image of seafood", Essay for an MA degree from the University of Iceland 2008. See: http://www.avs.is/media/avs/Vidhör_og_fiskneysla.pdf

Sigurjón Arason gave a speech at the opening of the Examiner's Center

The Examiner's Center in the Faroe Islands recently started operations. Matís has long had a good working relationship with our cousins in the Faroe Islands, and at the opening of the Examiner's Center, Sigurjón Arason, Matís 'chief engineer, was invited to give a talk on Matís' operations and opportunities for value creation in food production. 

Here's a brief news from the website of the Faroe Islands Knowledge Center about Sigurjón's visit. About making it easy for everyone to reminisce about the Faroese!

In recent years, great ambitions have been placed on the full utilization of fish in this country, which has contributed to great value creation, and for example, in 2012 each tonne of haddock was caught about a third more valuable than it was in 2008.

In recent years, great ambitions have been placed on the full utilization of fish in this country, which has yielded good results compared to other fishing nations. Norwegians, who are often considered our main "competitors", are among those who are now looking to Iceland in their efforts to increase the value of their catches. The difference between Iceland and Norway's catch utilization is significant. In Iceland, for example, 570 kg of products are obtained from 1 tonne of cod, but the same amount yields only 410 kg of products to Norway. The difference is 16% or 160 kg per tonne, which means that the Norwegian value added from their total catch in the Barents Sea in 2013 could amount to just over NOK 1 billion or ISK 21 billion. if they adopted the methods of Icelanders.[1]

But at the same time as Icelanders can rejoice in how well they have succeeded, it is a fact that even more can be done here and there is still considerable scope for even further utilization and innovation. It is also conceivable how large a part of the catch goes unprocessed out of the country, but it can be said that billions of values leak out of the country in the form of unprocessed or little processed catch each year. But the export value of marine products could easily be increased through more onshore processing.

The haddock will be more valuable

At a meeting a few months ago, it was stated that in 2008 about 2.2 billion in value was lost solely because haddock had been sold out of the country unprocessed, while the total value of gutted haddock was then about 4.6 billion. From this same quantity, 11,000 tons of skinless and boneless fillets and 1,730 tons of dried heads could be produced, but the total value of such products was about 6.8 billion. Thus, the value of the catch could have been increased by 33% if the haddock had been processed in Iceland. Fortunately, processing in Iceland is increasing year by year, which has resulted in job creation and value creation.

Since 2008, the haddock catch has decreased significantly and in 2012 it was 47,700 tonnes. or almost half of what he was in 2008 when he was 102,400 tons. Despite this sharp decline in catches, the export value of haddock products in Icelandic krónur has only decreased by 23%. If the quantity caught is divided by the total export value and the exchange rate of the euro is used, it turns out that each tonne of haddock caught is about a third more valuable in 2012 than in 2008 in euros. This undoubtedly indicates that there has been an increase in the processing of more valuable products and it can be assumed that it is possible to do even better with increased processing and improved utilization.

Studying food science increases innovation

Matís has been responsible for various researches that contribute to better handling and better utilization of the catch, and this undoubtedly results in increased possibilities in the production of more valuable products than before. The company has also been involved in developing processing processes for products such as dried cod heads and canned liver. In addition to being involved in projects that promote improved design of fish processing equipment with the aim of maximizing utilization, increasing productivity and improving quality. Matís has also collaborated well with the University of Iceland and was involved in the establishment of a master's program in Food Science, which is part of increasing professional knowledge of food processing and handling, in addition to which respected collaboration in a fertile environment produces ideas and powerful innovation. Matís has succeeded so well in its collaboration with university students that Icelandic students in food science and related disciplines have become sought after by large companies, as was stated in a news item on this page recently. See news.

Matís' motto, Our research - for the benefit of all, are therefore particularly relevant in this context, as the company's research has already paid off for the national economy. However, it is clear that the government needs to secure increased funding for food research, which is undoubtedly a permanent investment, if we can increase our catch value by simply increasing processing here at home through innovation and product development of our products that could at the same time lead to job creation for many people.

"Barents Sea: Cod quota increased to one million tonnes - 250 thousand tonnes increase"

The SAFE Consortium publishes a strategic report on research priorities and the importance of food safety. The report was submitted to the European Commission, but reiterates the importance of putting food safety at the forefront of all food research. 

On 4 June, the SAFE Consortium, a co-operation platform for European food safety research institutes, published a strategic report on research priorities and the importance of food safety. The report was submitted to the European Commission, but reiterates the importance of putting food safety at the forefront of all food research.

Matís has been a strong participant in the SAFE collaboration in recent years, not least because Oddur Már Gunnarsson, Matís' Business Development Manager, has played a key role in SAFE's operations. He was chairman of the association from 2010 to 2012 and has been the general secretary of SAFE for the past year. At the same time, Matís has taken over the operation of the SAFE office, which is part of a restructuring of the association's operations.

Food security is the cornerstone of the food industry

Oddur says about the origin of the report: "Food security in Europe has been in good shape and few problems have arisen in recent years, so people have fallen asleep on the price and funding for the issue has decreased and thus the preparedness. The European Union's Framework Program has integrated food security into other aspects, such as food security, sustainability and more. But food security needs to be the foundation on which we build. All innovation in the food industry must be based on food security and therefore it must be specifically mentioned as a basis for all food industries. There is little point in having enough food if it is not safe - safety is a key factor. "

Oddur has also taken part in defining SAFE's new policy, which is based on moving the organization from conducting almost exclusively education to being strategic for others involved in this issue and ensuring that food safety is at the forefront everywhere. He says that the association has had to find ways to streamline operations but at the same time maintain purposeful work. The preparation of the report is part of this and Oddur believes that SAFE has established a new position with its publication. "SAFE may have become a bit of a tired brand, you always have to renew what you are doing over time to be successful."

He says the report has been well received by the Commission in Brussels, drawing attention to the dangers on the horizon and how to build on current experience to ensure consumer safety. "People generally agreed that what was in the report was good and I thought its mission was successful. They agreed with everything we said and we hope it will pay off in future EU research. "

Long-term research provides an overview

Oddur says that Matís' research is very important for SAFE, as the company is highly respected in European scientific collaboration. "It also provides an important overview to receive reports and research from all corners of Europe based on long-term research. They enable us to look for shared experiences and help organizations identify the dangers that exist. Little is still known about various aspects of food safety, such as the effects of chemical pollution on food and the link between increased allergies and food additives. "

Oddur says that co-operation with SAFE is a good background and ensures Matís good relations within Europe. "There are 13 institutions within the association and the power of the number will not be questioned. Participation in SAFE's work gives us a voice within the European Union, and in this way we can influence what research will be put in the forefront there in the coming years. "

Earlier this year, the Bangladeshi Shrimp and Fisheries Association (BSFF) requested assistance from the United Nations University of Fisheries and Matís in finding ways to reduce raw material losses, in fisheries, slaughter and transport to the market, as well as in increasing the utilization of by-products.

Earlier this year, the Bangladeshi Shrimp and Fisheries Association (BSFF) requested assistance from the United Nations University of Fisheries and Matís in finding ways to reduce raw material losses, in fisheries, slaughter and transport to the market, as well as in increasing the utilization of by-products. . The reason for the collaboration is, among other things, that several students from Bangladesh have in recent years been studying at the United Nations University of Fisheries, where Matís has taken an active part in the teaching. Icelanders' knowledge and success in utilizing by-products and increasing the value of seafood has also attracted attention there and elsewhere in the world.

Opportunities for innovation and value added

On this occasion, they went to Dr. Guðmundur Stefánsson and Oddur Gunnarsson from Matís and Mary Frances Davidson from the United Nations Fisheries University to Bangladesh on 11-17. last May. There, they had the opportunity to learn about fishing, processing and aquaculture with the aim of finding ways to reduce production losses, create new valuable products and increase knowledge of food safety. In addition, find ways to increase co-operation between the United Nations Fisheries University, Matís and Bangladesh. The visit attracted considerable attention in that country and was covered in the newspaper Financial Express. It is clear that the increase in the value of marine products in that country could be considerable with changed processing methods.  

Fish is an important food in Bangladesh and about 15 million people are employed in fishing, farming and processing. Every year, about 3 million tonnes of fish are processed there. Most of it shrimp, tilapia and pangasus go for sale domestically. Only a small fraction is exported, but exports amount to only about 100,000 tonnes. Shrimp is the largest single export product and around 50,000 tonnes of it are exported annually, but the supply of raw materials is limited, which prevents further exports. The shrimp are usually exported head and shellless. During processing, a lot of by-products are generated, or up to 20,000 tonnes that are not utilized. There are obvious opportunities for further processing and value creation and a good opportunity for Matís to share his knowledge.  

Lack of supervision

In Bangladesh, there is a great need to improve the handling of catches for the domestic market. Of the 43,000 vessels that make up the fleet, only the fish on board in a few of them can be frozen, usually due to lack of facilities, and it is often difficult to get ice. This means that a large part of the catch that goes to the domestic market is uncooled from the time it is caught until it reaches the consumer. Conditions in the markets and in transport are not exemplary, as the fish are often poorly or not frozen at all and there is a significant lack of hygiene. It is estimated that about a quarter of the catch and farmed products are damaged due to lack of refrigeration and poor handling and are therefore not suitable for human consumption.

Control over the processing and security of smaller vessels is also minimal, despite the fact that they supply the domestic market almost exclusively with fish. On the other hand, control of larger vessels and freezer trawlers is in most cases good, but there are 175 freezer trawlers in the country, 74 of which meet the strictest requirements and can transport goods to the European Union and other large markets. At the same time, there is little control over landing ports, markets, storage conditions, factories and aquaculture. The problem lies in the fact that far too few individuals carry out this control, but in total there are over 70 in a country that counts 160 million and their workforce is mostly spent following laws and regulations regarding exports. 

The status of fish stocks and possible overfishing are a matter of concern, but there is little or no monitoring of fish stocks and changes in stock sizes. However, improvements are expected in that regard, as the Bangladeshi Ministry of Fisheries expects a research vessel in 2015, but now the only data on catches, fishing reports of individual boats and vessels.

Great interest in cooperation

Syed Mahmudul Huq, BSFF's chairman, came to Iceland shortly after Guðmundur and Oddur's visit to discuss the project and its preparations. But Matís and the United Nations Fisheries University's proposals to BSFF are threefold. Firstly, to formulate a policy on courses for the domestic market with the aim of reducing raw material losses, improving food security and building infrastructure in the fish distribution chain. Secondly, to launch courses for the export industry on better utilization of by-products and an increase in the value of fish products. Thirdly, to increase the competitiveness of the export industry through feasibility studies on the utilization of the by-products already generated by aquaculture and processing in Bangladesh. It is hoped that the courses will begin at the beginning of 2014.