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Reports

Quality of coastal fishing catches 2011

Published:

15/09/2011

Authors:

Jónas R. Viðarsson, Sigurjón Arason, Sveinn Margeirsson, Guðjón Gunnarsson, Garðar Sverrisson, Örn Sævar Holm, Þórhallur Ottesen

Supported by:

Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture

Contact

Jónas Rúnar Viðarsson

Director of Business and Development

jonas@matis.is

Quality of coastal fishing catches 2011

At the end of the summer, the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture requested from Matís, Matvælastofnun and the Directorate of Fisheries that an assessment be made of the quality of coastal fishing catches. Matvælastofnun had already, in collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries, launched an effort that dealt with catch treatment in general for all day-trip boats and that work was used in the project. A steering group was formed for the project and it decided that the focus would mainly be on a few principles that affect product quality, ie. icing and cooling, worms in the flesh, size and classification, bleeding and gutting, sorting and finishing in pots, color of redness and procedures in fish markets. Measurements and other data collection took place in June, July and August. Data were collected as follows:

• The Directorate of Fisheries and MAST measured the temperature of the catch when landing around the country.

• The fish markets increased the temperature measurements in their catch and provided the results with the project.

• MAST employees investigated various issues related to the handling of catch among small boat fishermen.

• Matís' employee interviewed the parties that handle the catch of coastal fishing boats the most.

• Matís employees visited the fish market to check procedures.

The results of the survey show that inshore fish vary in quality. Coastal fishing boats fish during the hottest season when fish are in poor condition for natural reasons, they tend to stay close to land where the fish are small, there are more worms and the color of the red is darker (kelp); they usually land uncut catches and the size distribution is large. Access to ice is limited in some ports, gutting services are generally no longer available and the transport of ungutted catch between parts of the country at this time of year can be detrimental to the raw material if the catch treatment has not been satisfactory. Ensuring the quality of the catch is therefore a problem for the coastal fishing fleet. The most influential factor in the quality of inshore fishing is cooling. In general, it can be said that the coastal fishing fleet performs well in comparison with the traditional day-trip boats in terms of cooling, and it is not possible to distinguish a significant difference between these fishing groups. The results of the audit also indicate that the cooling of coastal catches has improved from the previous year. It should be noted, however, that cooling needs to be further improved to meet the requirements set out in regulations. Classification and gutting are also factors that affect the quality of coastal fishing catches. It is important that fish markets and their customers find acceptable ways to ensure that buyers are given the size of fish they consider to be buying, but the authorities will need to consider changes to regulations on gutting to ensure the maximum quality of inshore catches. With regard to other factors influencing quality, it is most natural for market laws to prevail, ie. that price and quality go hand in hand, but in order for that to happen, it is necessary to increase the visibility of quality factors in the fish markets and increase promotion. Efforts were made to educate, measure and monitor day-trippers in the summer of 2011 and it is important that the government ensures that this path is continued next year.

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News

New Nordic food - Seaweed and kelp in food

Last week, a meeting was held in Copenhagen on the possibility of using seaweed and kelp in food, within the New Nordic Food project. Food algae is an underutilized resource in the Arctic and great potential for the development of new foods from seaweed and kelp.

Participants included chefs, scientists, seaweed growers and producers from Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Further information about the meeting can be found on the Ny Nordisk Mad website (see here).

For further information Rósa Jónsdóttir at Matís.

News

A new TV series in the making - Taste the North Atlantic

This picture was taken in March 2007 in the hostile, near-Arctic landscape of south-west Iceland.

Matís is a participant in a new TV series that will cover food culture in the North Atlantic area and the cooking of excellent ingredients from this part of the world.

This series has already attracted considerable attention and can be seen in the coverage here, here and here.

For further information, contact Matís Gunnþórunn Einarsdóttir.

News

Matís participates in the festival FULL BORG MATAR

FULL BORG MATAR / Reykjavík Real Food Festival

is a food and harvest festival dedicated to Icelandic food and food culture. Matís participates and invites visitors and pedestrians to come to Matís' headquarters at Vínlandsleið 12 (Grafarholt) on Thursday 15 September. at 14-17 (advertisement).

At Matís' open house, there will be micro-lectures about small-scale food production and about the projects that Matís has worked on with individuals, eg farmers and companies all over the country. There will also be several companies and entrepreneurs presenting their work and offering a "taste" of the products that have been produced. Matís will also open a new website, www.kjotbokin.is, which is a comprehensive source of information on everything related to meat.

Matís has strong operations all over the country and in some places you can find the so-called Matísmiðjar Matís. The facilities can vary from one workshop to another, but what they all have in common is that there is a wide range of food processing equipment and tools and other facilities that the processing requires. Users receive training on the equipment and free access to the production of the products that are possible with regard to facilities and equipment and issued licenses by the health authorities.

The food factories regularly hold courses on the production and processing of various products as well as courses on internal control. Matís food factories are in Flúðir and á Harbor in Hornafjörður.

Further information about Matís' establishments and Matarsmiðjur can be found here.

The festival FULL BORG MATAR will be held for the first time on 14 - 18 September with the hope that it will gain a permanent place in the nation's annual food calendar. There are many opportunities for companies, institutions and NGOs to join the festival, in addition to which most consumers should find something there that tempts the taste buds.

Market, restaurant banquets and open calendar of events
A sale and marketplace for food and refreshments will be offered in the center of Reykjavík, where it will be possible to sell and promote products and services directly to consumers. Restaurants will offer festive menus from Icelandic ingredients during the festival, but the restaurants that are responsible for the best-executed menus will receive special recognition at the end of the festival. Companies, institutions and NGOs can join the festival by setting up events that will be presented in the festival's joint calendar. Emphasis is placed on companies, NGOs and institutions finding a channel for their products and services and that the festival will be both accessible and exciting for consumers. 

The festival is an open forum about everything related to the nation's food and food culture and all ideas are welcome. If you have an idea for an event or topic that would be interesting to link to the festival, please contact us. 

Partners
The festival could not be held without the support of partners who have put a lot of help and effort into preparation.

The sponsors of the festival are City of Reykjavík, The Confederation of Icelandic Industries, Sheepmeat Marketing Council, Iceland Responsible Fisheries, Garðyrkjumanna Sales Association and the Icelandic Pig Breeding Association. 

Collaboration and consultation has taken place with a number of individuals, associations and institutions in the preparation of the festival, most notably Íslandsstofa, Samtök Ferðaþjónustan, Beint frá býli, Matís and Matvís association of craftsmen in the food and restaurant industries. 

Project Management Office
The project board's office is located in the premises of Nýsköpun and the Entrepreneurship Center Innovate in Tæknigarður, Dunhaga 5, 107 Reykjavík

Phone: 820 1980; email: info@fullborgmatar.is.

For further information, contact Matís Steinar B. Aðalbjörnsson, marketing manager.

Reports

Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2009 and 2010 / Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2009 and 2010

Published:

01/09/2011

Authors:

Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir, Natasa Desnica, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Hrönn Jörundsdóttir

Supported by:

Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture

Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2009 and 2010 / Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2009 and 2010

This report presents the results of an annual monitoring project funded by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. The purpose of this monitoring is to fulfill Iceland's obligations regarding the Oslo and Paris Agreement (OSPAR), as well as the AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program). The data have been sent to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) database. The Marine Research Institute collects samples and Matís oversees the preparation of samples and measurements of trace elements in the marine environment. The samples are measured at Matís and at the University of Iceland Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Various inorganic trace elements and chloro-organic substances were measured in cod caught in Hafró's annual spring rally in March 2010 and in mussels collected at 10 locations around the country in August / September 2009. Monitoring in the marine environment near Iceland began in 1989 and samples are collected once a year. for a year and worked according to international sampling instructions. The data is collected in a database, the report provides overview images for some of the materials monitored. Cadmium is regionally higher in Icelandic mussels compared to mussels from other countries. The results show changes in the pattern of chlorine organic matter in mussels collected near Hvalstöðin in Hvalfjörður in September 2009, there were no visible changes in the concentration of these substances at the mussel collection site at Hvammsvík in Hvalfjörður or at any other collection site around the country studied in 2009. Important is monitoring these changes in the pattern of concentration of chlorinated organic substances in mussels in the monitoring project in the coming years to see if they are still present. A detailed statistical analysis of the data is in progress, i.e. Scientific methods can be used to estimate the increase or decrease of pollutants in the marine environment in Iceland.

This report contains results of the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland in 2009 and 2010. The project, overseen by the Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland, is to fulfill the OSPAR (Oslo and Paris agreement) and AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program) agreements. The project was funded by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. The data has been submitted to the ICES databank (ices.dk). The collection of data started 1989. Matís is the coordinator for marine biota monitoring and is responsible for methods relating to sampling, preparation and analysis of samples. The samples were analyzed at Matís and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Iceland. Trace metals and organochlorines were analyzed in cod (Gadus morhua) caught in March 2010 and in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) collected in August / Sept 2009. Marine monitoring began in Iceland 1989 and the sampling is carried out according to standardized sampling guidelines. Changes were observed in the organochlorine concentration patterns in blue mussels collected year 2009 at the sampling site Hvalstod in Hvalfjordur, no noteworthy increase in organochlorine concentrations was however observed in blue mussels obtained at Hvammsvík in Hvalfjordur nor any of the other sample sites studied year 2009. These results need to be followed up in the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland next year to see if this change in contaminant concentration pattern continues. A thorough statistical evaluation is ongoing on all available data from this monitoring program to analyze spatial and temporal trends of pollutants in the Icelandic marine biosphere.

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Reports

Minimizing spoilage in lobster with enzyme inhibition and hypothermia / Minimizing spoilage in Nephrops in Iceland

Published:

01/09/2011

Authors:

Guðmundur Gunnarsson, Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir, Heiða Pálmadóttir, Páll Steinþórsson, Vigfús Ásbjörnsson

Supported by:

AVS Fisheries Research Fund

Contact

Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir

Sensory evaluation manager

adalheiduro@matis.is

Minimizing spoilage in lobster with enzyme inhibition and hypothermia / Minimizing spoilage in Nephrops in Iceland

The purpose of this project was to maximize the activity of enzyme inhibitors (hasenose) with high subcooling to reduce myocardial infarction in lobster off Iceland. The effect of enzyme inhibitors on the quality aspects of lobster was assessed. The activity of different refrigerants on board fishing vessels during lobster fishing. The product of the project is then a definition of a processing process for the lobster industry with the use of enzyme inhibitors and high subcooling.

The aim of this project was to maximize the effects of using food grade protein inhibitor (EDTA) with combination of effective ice / seawater cooling to minimize muscle spoilage in nephrops in Iceland. To analyze different effects on nephrops quality factors when using the food grade protein inhibitor (EDTA) and to measure the effects of using different cooling media. The end product of this project is a simple code of practice information for the lobster industry in Iceland on how to use the combination of the food grade protein inhibitor (EDTA) with different cooling media to get the most effects on reducing muscle spoilage in nephrops in Iceland.

Report closed until 01.09.2013

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Reports

Effect of cooling and packaging methods on the quality deterioration of redfish fillets

Published:

01/09/2011

Authors:

Hélène L. Lauzon, Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir, Magnea G. Karlsdóttir, Eyjólfur Reynisson, Björn Margeirsson, Sigurjón Arason, Emilía Martinsdóttir

Supported by:

EU IP Chill ‐ on (contract FP6‐016333‐2)

Contact

Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir

Sensory evaluation manager

adalheiduro@matis.is

Effect of cooling and packaging methods on the quality deterioration of redfish fillets

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of slush ice cooling after filleting and / or packing in vacuum packaging on the deterioration of the quality of fresh redfish fillets. The fillets were stored at -1 ° C for 6 days to simulate well-executed sea transport in foam plastic boxes and then at 2 ° C, as happens after delivery abroad and storage in retail. Product and ambient temperature were monitored from packaging and sensory evaluation, microbial and chemical measurements were performed. The fish was caught in the spring and processed 6 days after fishing. The results show that the quality of the raw material was not the best during packaging as the development process (PV and TBARS) was well underway. This probably explains why none of these refrigeration methods led to an increase in shelf life. It was also found that there was no benefit in cooling the fillets unprotected in slush ice as the microbial growth and formation of TVB-N and TMA in the fillets was faster with further storage. However, it seems preferable to refrigerate vacuum packed fillets in ice cream as this method has led to slower growth of pest microorganisms, lower TMA levels and a slower development process. Photobacterium phosphoreum is important in the process of damaging fresh redfish fillets, regardless of the packaging method.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of slurry ice cooling in process (post ‐ filleting) and packaging method (+/‐ oxygen) on the quality deterioration of skinned redfish fillets during storage in expanded polystyrene boxes simulating well ‐ performed sea freight transportation (6 days at ‐1 ° C) followed by storage at the retailer (2 ° C). Also, to assess the use of vacuum ‐ packaging to protect the fillets from direct contact with the cooling medium (slurry ice) and to achieve superchilling following extended treatment. Temperature monitoring as well as sensory, chemical and microbial analyzes were performed. The fish was caught in the spring and processed 6 days post catch. The results show that quality of the fillets was not optimal at packaging, due to the detection of primary and secondary oxidation products. This may have been the reason why shelf life extension was not achieved by any of the methods evaluated. Further, there was no advantage of cooling the fillets unpacked since this method stimulated microbial growth and formation of basic amines. On the other hand, slurry ice cooling of vacuum ‐ packaged fillets led to a slower microbial development, the lowest TMA level and delayed autoxidation. Finally, the importance of Photobacterium phosphoreum in the spoilage process of redfish fillets, independently of the packaging method, was demonstrated.

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Reports

Undesirable substances in seafood products - results from the Icelandic marine monitoring activities in the year 2010

Published:

01/09/2011

Authors:

Vordís Baldursdóttir, Natasa Desnica, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir

Supported by:

Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture

Undesirable substances in seafood products - results from the Icelandic marine monitoring activities in the year 2010

In 2003, at the initiative of the Ministry of Fisheries, monitoring of undesirable substances in marine products, both for human consumption and products for the fish oil and flour industry, began. Matís has been entrusted with the supervision of the monitoring project. The purpose of the monitoring is to assess the condition of Icelandic marine products with regard to the amount of contaminants. The aim is also to collect independent scientific data on undesirable substances in marine products for the government, the fishing industry as well as buyers and consumers of Icelandic seafood. The data collected in the monitoring project will also be used in risk assessment and to build up a database on contaminants in the Icelandic ecosystem. Coverage of contaminants in marine products, both in the mainstream media and in scientific journals, has many times demanded the response of the Icelandic government. It is necessary to have scientific results available that demonstrate the actual condition of Icelandic seafood in order to prevent damage that may result from such coverage. Furthermore, the limits of contaminants are under constant review and it is important for Icelanders to participate in such a review and support their case with scientific data. This shows the importance of regular monitoring and that Iceland conducts independent research on such an important issue as marine product pollution. This report is a summary of the results of the monitoring for the year 2010. Assessment of the state of Icelandic marine products with regard to contaminants is a long-term project and will only be carried out through continuous monitoring. Every year, therefore, the missing data is carefully reviewed, thus aiming to fill in the gaps. In 2010, the following substances were measured in marine products intended for human consumption as well as products for the fish oil and flour industry: dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and pointer PCBs, PBDEs, metals, as well as 12 different types of pesticides. A special effort was made to measure PBDEs and metals in 2010 and their concentration was generally low in Icelandic seafood. As before, a small amount of undesirable substances was generally measured in Icelandic seafood in 2010. Oil and flour made from blue whiting, however, have to be close to or above the permitted limits for certain substances.

This monitoring of undesirable substances in seafood products was initiated by the Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture in the year 2003. Until then, this type of monitoring had been limited in Iceland. Matis was assigned the responsibility of carrying out the surveillance program, which has now been ongoing for seven consecutive years. The purpose of the project is to gather information and evaluate the status of Icelandic seafood products in terms of undesirable substances. Further, the aim of the project is to provide independent scientific data on undesirable substances in Icelandic seafood for food authorities, fisheries authorities, industry, markets and consumers. The information will also be utilized for a risk assessment and gathering of reference data. This report summarizes the results obtained in the year 2010 for the monitoring of various undesirable substances in the edible part of marine catches, fish meal and fish oil for feed. The monitoring began in 2003 and has now been carried out for seven consecutive years. The evaluation of the status of the Icelandic seafood products in terms of undesirable substances is a long term project which can only be reached through continuous monitoring. For this reason, we carefully select which undesirable substances are measured in the various seafood samples each year with the aim to fill in the gaps in the available data. Thus the project fills in gaps of knowledge regarding the level of undesirable substances in economically important marine catches for Icelandic export. In the year 2010, data was collected on dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs, marker PCBs, 12 different types of pesticides, PBDEs and trace metals in the edible part of fish, fish oil and meal for feed. Samples collected in 2010 generally contained low concentrations of undesirable substances. These results are in agreement with our previous results obtained in the monitoring programs in the years 2003 to 2009. In the year 2010 emphasis was placed on gathering information on the organic compounds PBDEs and inorganic trace elements in the edible part of marine catches as well as in the fish meal and fish oil for feed. The results reveal that the concentrations of PBDEs compounds are in low in fish and fish products for feed. Blue whiting meal and oil can contain undesirable substances in concentration close to or exceeding the maximum level set by the EU.

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Reports

Thermal modeling of processing and transport of fresh fish / Hermun kæliferla - LOKASKÝRSLA

Published:

01/09/2011

Authors:

Björn Margeirsson, Sigurjón Arason, Kristín Valtýsdóttir

Supported by:

AVS Fisheries Research Fund, Technology Development Fund, University of Iceland Research Fund

Contact

Sigurjón Arason

Chief Engineer

sigurjon.arason@matis.is

Thermal modeling of processing and transport of fresh fish / Hermun kæliferla - LOKASKÝRSLA

The main objective of the project Simulation of cooling processes - thermodynamic simulation of production and transport processes, which began in June 2008, was to present improvements in procedures and equipment related to the transport of marine products through process analysis, experiments and computerized thermal and hydrological models. The consequences of improved temperature control in production and transport processes are increased quality, stability and safety, which at the same time increase the value of the product. Partners in the project were Matís, the University of Iceland, Promens Tempra, Eimskip Ísland, Samherji, Brim (ÚA), Festi, Völusteinn and Eskja. This report describes the main results and products of the project. Examples of products are heat transfer models of fresh fish products in a foam box, which make it possible to predict fish temperatures based on environmental temperature history. Heat transfer models were used to redesign the Promens Tempra 3, 5 and 7 kg foam boxes with the minimum target fish temperature minimization under the target heat load. Experiments confirmed the superiority of the new boxes over traditional box types, both in terms of temperature control and product quality under heat load. The results of another experiment show that the shelf life of fresh fish fillets in corner boxes of whole pallets in the air transport chain can be about 1-1.5 days shorter than fillets in boxes in the middle of the pallet stack. Heat distribution in different cooling chains was mapped and special emphasis was placed on pre-cooling fillets for packing and heat distribution in different types of cooling containers with different loading patterns. 

The main aim of the research project Hermun kæliferla - Thermal modeling of processing and transport of fresh fish, which was launched in June 2008, was to improve technology and practices used for fish processing and transport by means of analysis of chill chains, experiments and computational modeling. Improved temperature control in fish chill chains leads to increased product quality, stability and safety and thereby increased product value. This report describes the main results and products of the project. Examples include heat transfer models of fresh fish fillets packaged in boxes, which can be used to predict product temperature evolution as a function of variable ambient temperature. Numerical heat transfer models were used to optimize the design of 3, 5 and 7 ‐ kg expanded polystyrene boxes manufactured by Promens Tempra with the aim of minimizing the maximum fish temperature in boxes under thermal load. Improved thermal protection of the new box design was confirmed in different experiments, both with regard to lesser product temperature variations and extended freshness period and storage life of products. The results from another storage study suggest that the storage life of fresh fish products in a corner box can be more than 1‐1.5 days shorter than in the center boxes of a full size pallet stack in a real air transport chain, depending on the level of ambient thermal load. Environmental and product temperatures were mapped in different chill chains with special emphasis laid on precooling during processing and temperature distribution in reefer containers of different types and loading patterns. 

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News

Hraðfrystihúsið Gunnvör - important collaboration!

Hraðfrystihúsið Gunnvör is the largest fisheries company in the Westfjords and operates both powerful fishing and fish processing on land, in addition to having achieved considerable success in the development of cod farming. The company benefits from the collaboration with Matís and the proximity to Matís' office in Ísafjörður.

Progress visible in cod farming
"We have benefited from Matís' office in Ísafjörður in recent years in various projects, primarily in terms of processing and aquaculture-related projects," says Kristján Jóakimsson, production and marketing manager at Hraðfrystihúsið
Gunnvöra.

"If we look at the processing component, the projects we have worked on with Matís focus on, for example, the development of new processing methods, processing technology and the development of new products. In cod farming, we have also used Matís' knowledge and facilities to help us, but certainly many more have come to that project with us. Cod farming is a long-running project that is thumbs up and there is no indication other than that it will continue on the same path. We are seeing various positive steps in cod farming and therefore it is possible to talk about progress. However, many factors play a role in the success of this article, such as feeding, breeding, disease, marketing, product development and more. For many of these aspects, we can look to Matís to work with us, "says Kristján.

"The location of Matís' office here in Ísafjörður is important to us and in fact to both parties in such a collaboration. The communication channels are shorter and the results pay off better. And with the proximity of collaborative projects, new surfaces and new ideas are also more likely to emerge. We will therefore continue to use the services of Matís' office, as has been the case. With that reservation
although the uncertainty that has prevailed in the fisheries sector recently has diminished our ability to undertake new research and development projects. That is a fact, "says Kristján Jóakimsson.

For further information Arnljótur Bjarki Bergsson Head of Processing, Value Added and Fire.

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