Category: News

Stress of salmonids in farming can be important for their welfare, growth and development, and can also affect the quality and shelf life of products. The main cause of salmon death in aquaculture is treatment against salmon lice, which can reduce the resistance of fish to infections and cold, as well as reduce growth. Salmon lice cost Nordic salmon farming around ISK 140 billion a year and are therefore a huge problem for the industry.

The main reason for the negative effect of treatment against lice is poor treatment of pumping salmon. Vacuum pumps are most commonly used, which cause stress and some shock to the fish; but during the pumping, an air space is evacuated which pulls the fish up into a tank, which is then fired into compressed air to push it to the place it is intended to go to. This is done both during lice treatment and when fish are pumped for slaughter. It can take a long time for fish to recover after treatment and start taking food again, and pre-slaughter shocks can cause stress that reduces product quality.

In light of this, pump equipment manufacturers have been looking for new ways of pumping salmonids and the Icelandic company Skaginn 3X has been developing a so-called spiral pump (Archimedes pump) as a solution to this problem. The pump has been named ValuePump. In the autumn of 2020, Matvælasjóður provided the company Skaginn 3X, together with partners, with funding to develop, build and test a prototype of ValuePump. The prototype was ready for testing in early 2022, when comparative measurements were made of ValuePump's performance and a conventional vacuum pump, which is currently used for pumping live salmon for slaughter and for handling in and around pens. The comparative measurements used DST except from Stjörna-Oddi, which recorded temperature and heart rate in fish, in addition to which the stress hormone Cortisol was measured in the blood. The comparative experiments took place in the facilities of the Marine Research Institute in Reykjanes under the direction of the institute's experts, Stjörna-Oddi and Matís.

The results of comparative experiments showed a significant difference between groups following pumping. Heart rate rose sharply during pumping, but the ValuePump group was quicker to recover and regain baseline. Pumping with a vacuum pump had a much greater long-term stress effect than experimenting with maximum stimuli where the fish crackled dry. There was also a large visual difference between the groups according to the type of pump, as fish pumped with a vacuum pump often came injured or even dead from the pump, swam sideways or upside down hours after pumping. Fish that were pumped with ValuePump, however, did not experience any visible damage during the pumping and seemed to be doing well after it.

The results of the comparative experiments must be considered very positive, as they indicate that ValuePump can significantly reduce the stress of salmonids during handling. This Icelandic innovation could therefore have a lasting effect on the welfare and profitability of salmon farming.

The participants of the project would like to thank the Food Fund for supporting the project.

The full report is available here

Further information is provided by Gunnar Þórðarson gunnar@matis.is

In December 2021, Matís and the Farmers' Association of Iceland reached an agreement on tissue culture of potato seed and work on the project has begun at Matís. The last issue of Bændablaðið publishes a discussion of the project, which discusses the agreement and the main aspects of the project.

The purpose of tissue cultivation of potatoes is to ensure that Icelandic farmers continue to have access to healthy seeds of the four Icelandic varieties: Premier, Gullauga, Rauðar íslenskum and Helga. The purpose of stock breeding is to promote the production of stock seeds that are free of viral diseases. Viruses are easily transmitted between mother potatoes and offspring, so tissue culture is the only way to maintain virus-free seeds. Viruses are very harmful to farmers, but virus-infected seeds produce up to a third less crops. Sigurgeir Ólafsson, a former specialist at RALA, created virus-free strains of the Icelandic varieties. The goal of this project is to maintain these stocks. In a collaborative project between the Farmers' Association and Matís, Matís will be responsible for the implementation of work components related to the tissue culture itself.

Bændablaðið quotes Axel Snæland, chairman of the horticultural farmers 'department within the Icelandic Farmers' Association:

"The horticultural farmers 'department within the Farmers' Association was responsible for concluding the agreement with Matís, which includes the tissue cultivation part of the stock cultivation of seed potatoes. Matís' project involves producing tissue-grown seed potatoes, Premier, Gullauga, Helga and Rauðir íslenskum, which are free of viruses and diseases, such as itching and rot. In addition, the potatoes are selected in terms of appearance. '

The project is progressing well and at the moment, potato plants, grown from sprouts, are in glass bottles under special controlled conditions in a tissue culture chamber in Matís' premises, as can be seen in the attached photos.

After further research, it will be possible to return small plants in a cultivation run for further cultivation to seed potato growers for greenhouse cultivation in soil next spring, if all goes well.

The article can be read in its entirety in Bændablaðið here: Stock cultivation of seed potatoes

Matís has a vacancy for a specialist. We are looking for an independent and ambitious individual to work in a strong team.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Chemical measurements and maintenance of equipment
• Maintenance of measurement methods and projects in an accredited environment for industry and research projects
• Dissemination of information and communication with customers
• Purchasing and communication with suppliers

Educational and qualification requirements

• BSc degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry or equivalent
• Good co-operation skills and flexibility in communication
• It is desirable that the person in question has worked with chemical measurements and has experience in the maintenance of equipment.
• Initiative, reliability and ambition

The employment rate is 100% and the job is located in Neskaupstaður

With reference to Matís' gender equality policy, all genders are encouraged to apply. Applications must be accompanied by a detailed CV and cover letter outlining the applicant's qualifications for the job in question. You must also include the name and telephone number or e-mail address of two referrers who can confirm the applicant's qualifications.

The application deadline is 07.07.22

Further information about the job can be obtained from Natasa Desnica, natasa@matis.is

At the end of May, the MAKEathons National Competition, the Innovation Competition of the Green Entrepreneurs of the Future, took place. There, the three schools, Nesskóli, Grunnskóli Bolungarvíkur and Árskóli, competed for the finals.

Each school submitted a video in which they explained their solutions to the environmental challenges in their home area. The competition was stabbing, but in the end it was Grunnskóli Bolungarvíkur that won by a landslide. Among them were Hildur Ágústsdóttir, a teacher, and Gunnar Ólafsson from the Deep Entrepreneurship Center.

Bolungarvík Primary School grappled with the challenge:

"How to make better use of aquaculture waste"

and the winning solution was entitled: "Using aquaculture waste in a sustainable way"

Below you can read the feedback that the winning team received from the jury:

"You are resourceful and solution-oriented. You spotted environmental problems caused by aquaculture in the sea and looked for solutions. It was great to see the shit that has accumulated, but the public usually does not get that perspective. Your task is to turn waste and sediment into a resource that can be used, and could therefore benefit both nature and fisheries companies. We encourage you to continue working on the solution and keep in mind the importance of biodiversity in marine ecosystems, but fire in the sea can harm it if left unchecked. "

The jury consisted of:

• Lenya Rún Taha Karim Deputy Member of Parliament for Pírata and law student
• Margrét Hugadóttir webmaster and project manager at Landvernd
• Þóra Valsdóttir project manager at Matís

For more information, please contact the project manager of the Green Entrepreneurs of the Future: Justine@matis.is. Schools wishing to participate are especially encouraged to contact (reporters can be contacted by phone: 762 0266).

Here you can follow the progress of the project:

• Project website: https://graenirfrumkvodlar.com/ 
• The project's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/gff_matis/
• #Graenirfromkvodlar

The book "Renewable Economies in the Arctic" is published, which deals with renewable economies in the Arctic. Matís staff, Ólafur Reykdal, Rakel Halldórsdóttir, Óli Þór Hilmarsson, Gunnar Þórðarson and Þóra Valsdóttir are involved in one chapter of the book which deals with food production in the Arctic.

The book highlights the perspectives of experts in diverse fields, such as economics, sociology, political science and food science, when it comes to renewable economies. The perspectives shed light on the special challenges facing the Arctic and at the same time on the opportunities that exist to exploit sustainable resources and thus breathe life into the regions' economies.

Matís' staff were among the authors of the chapter "the Arctic as a food-producing region", which deals with food production in arctic regions, but which briefly covers Iceland, Northern Norway and Northern Canada. It is worth mentioning a section where it is discussed how the increased value of food from the Arctic regions of Norway could be achieved through targeted marketing. It is based on a detailed study that has been available for reference in Iceland.

The book and its individual chapters can be accessed in open access here: Renewable Economies in the Arctic

In the April issue of the European magazine Eurofish Magazine, an interview was published with Jónas Rúnar Viðarsson, director of value creation at Matís.

In the article, Jónas shares with his readers a vision of the future of the fishing industry in Iceland and what Matís' role is in ensuring the quality of the catch.

New knowledge, technology and innovation have paved the way for improved quality of seafood and this development is constantly ongoing. Energy efficiency and sustainability are key in today's high-tech marine industry, both to meet customer needs and to reduce costs.

Matís has worked closely with the fishing industry for decades on the development of new solutions and work processes. Matís has also played an important role in educating future employees in the industry, both through teaching at universities and working with students. The link between industry, science, education and government is the key to successful cooperation. 

The full article is available in Eurofish Magazine, pages 63-64, at the following address:  Current issue - Eurofish Magazine.

In June, three projects, the so-called NordMar projects that have been running since 2019, will end with an impressive final conference that will take place at the Grand Hotel Reykjavík.

The projects NordMar Plastic, NordMar Biorefine and NordMar Ports began on the basis of the priorities of the Nordic Council of Ministers when Iceland held the presidency in the years 2019-2021.

For more information about the conference, send an email to: nordmarplastic@matis.is

NordMar Plastic led by Sophie Jensen, Matís' project manager, aims to raise awareness and educate the public about plastic pollution in the environment, as well as to develop and publish study materials and hold events that promote increased innovation in connection with the subject.

NordMar Biorefine is led by Val Norðra Gunnlaugsson, Director of Matís, and aims to assess the feasibility and potential of biomass plants for the blue bioeconomy in the Nordic countries and the formation of a network of experts in this field as well as education on related issues for younger generations.

In the project NordMar Ports Emphasis is placed on strengthening ports as centers of innovation and energy exchange, a project managed by partners in the Faroe Islands.

On Thursday 19 May, the Laurentic Forum hosted a workshop on the utilization of seaweed in the Arctic. The meeting was very interesting in all respects and was attended by about 100 people, from all over the world.

Recordings of the meeting can now be accessed on the event's website here: Laurenticforum.com

The meeting briefly reviewed the state of affairs regarding the utilization of algae worldwide, as well as in Canada (Newfoundland & Labrador), Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Ireland and Norway.

The agenda of the meeting was as follows:

• Keith Hutchings from Canadian Center for Fisheries Innovation: Welcome
• Paul Dobbins from WWF: Seaweed Farming as a Nature Based Solution- Opportunities and Challenges from WWF's Perspective
• Kate Burns from Islander Rathlin Kelp: Farmed Kelp, What Market?
• Olavur Gregersen from Ocean Rainforest Faroe Islands: Scaling up Kelp Farming in the North Atlantic
• Anne Marit Bjørnflaten from Oceanfood AS North Norway: Macroalgae: A New and Sustainable Aquaculture Industry with Huge Potential in the Arctic
• Jónas R. Viðarsson from Matís Iceland: Seaweed Production on the Rise in Iceland
• Cyr Courtourier from the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University in Newfoundland: Future Prospects for Seaweed Farming Across Canada in a Subarctic Environment
• Q&A

Learn more about the event or the Laurentic Forum jonas@matis.is

Matís' annual report for the year 2021 is available on the web.

The report is divided into the following sections and can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.

• Addresses by the Chairman of the Board and the CEO
• Matís' policy and vision
• Matís project and UN global goals
• Food Research
• Extensive collaboration
• Advisory services to the government and committee work
• Food security and priority services
• Matís all over the country
• Research collaboration with educational institutions

This week, Nýsköpunarvikan or Iceland Innovation Week has been celebrated all over the city. Tomorrow, Friday 20 May, there will be numerous presentations on the agenda related to innovation in the food sector and Matís' presentation will be: Sustainable food production - Innovation is the key! among them.

The event takes place in Gróska idea house in Vatnsmýri, in the hall Fenjamýri on the first floor and starts at 13: 30-15: 00.

Participation in the event is free. welcome!

The event consists of 5 short and fun presentations that deal in one way or another with innovation and sustainability in food production.

The program is as follows:

• Is innovation good? Sensory evaluation and consumer research. - Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir
• Opportunities for innovation in Icelandic vegetables - Eva Margrét Jónudóttir and Ólafur Reykdal
• What do the protein donations of the future look like? -Margrét Geirsdóttir
• One person's waste, another person's gold? Sustainable fertilizer production in Iceland -Jónas Baldursson and Eva Margrét Jónudóttir
• How to talk to children about sustainability and climate change? -Katrín Hulda Gunnarsdóttir

More about the lecture:

Follow the event page on facebook here: Innovation Week: Sustainable food production - Innovation is the key!