News

Do you have a food idea in your stomach? - let's take the fight with you

Welcome to a workshop at Matís where we will go through the practical aspects of food product development and how well-organized food design can make a product unique and desirable.

All ideas where food is the main topic are welcome. This can be about production, service or food experience. This time we are particularly interested in seafood-related ingredients, but of course everyone with good food ideas is welcome.

The moderators of the workshop are: Guðjón Þorkelsson food scientist, Óli Þór Hilmarsson
meat industry master and food designers Brynhildur Pálsdóttir and Kristín María Sigþórsdóttir.
At the end of the workshop, participants are available to apply for support to continue working on their idea and 4-6 ideas will be selected.

The support is worth 1 m.kr. for each project and that support involves help from Matís' experts and food designers Brynhildur and Kristín María.

The aim should be for the projects to be off the drawing board and in production or final preparation for
November 1, 2016.

Notification of participation will be sent to the e-mail address matarhugmynd@matis.is

It is necessary that the name of the idea and a very short description of the project appear together with the full name of the participant (s).

The workshop will be on May 26 at 10 to 14 in Matís' premises at Vínlandsleið 12, 113 Reykjavík.

Light lunch offered by Matís.

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News

Food is valuable - new trends and food marketing

Food is of great value is the title of a conference that will be held in Silfurberg in Harpa today, Thursday 19 May. A co-operation forum on Matvælalandið Ísland will host the conference and focus on the future and ways to increase the value of the food resources that Icelanders have.

The keynote speaker at the conference is Birthe Linddal, a Danish expert in futurology, who gives a talk on the latest trends and trends in the food sector. A number of other presentations will be given on new ways to increase the value of products, the policy of Icelandic companies and experience stories will be told of innovative methods to reach consumers. Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, addresses the guests, while Hörður Kristinsson, Director of Research and Innovation at Matís, will chair the conference.

The conference begins with a lunch refreshment at 12.00 in the care of the chefs Gunnar Gunnar Kristinsson, head chef in Harpa, and Gísli Matthías Auðunsson, owner of Slipp in the Westman Islands and Food and drink in Reykjavík.  

Matvælalandið Ísland is a co-operation platform between the Farmers' Association of Iceland, the University of Iceland, Íslandsstofa, Matís, the Association of Tourism, the Association of Companies in the Fisheries Sector, the Association of Industry and the Ministry of Industry and Innovation. This is the fourth time that these parties are holding a conference under the auspices of Matvælalandið Ísland, but the first was in November 2012.

Further information on the website of the Confederation of Icelandic Industries, www.si.is.

News

Seminar on innovation, investment and financing for food and biotechnology companies

Rannís, the Association of Companies in the Fisheries Sector and the Association of Industry invite to a seminar in Hús atvinnulífsins, Borgartún 35, 17 May. from 13: 00-16: 00.

Agenda:

  • 13:00 Prime Minister Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson opens the symposium
  • 13:10 The Horizon 2020 plan Oddur M. Gunnarsson, Matís' division manager and board member
  • 13:30 Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking Marta Campos Iturralde, expert at the European Union
  • 14:10 The blue economy Jens Garðar Helgason, Chairman of the Association of Companies in the Fisheries Sector 
  • 14:30 The model project Iceprotein Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir, CEO of Iceprotein
  • Coffee
  • 15:15 Technology Development Fund Lýður Skúli Erlendsson, specialist in Rannís' research and innovation department
  • 15:40 Investments in the food and biotechnology industry Jenný Ruth Hrafnsdóttir, Investment Manager of the Business Innovation Fund
     
    The moderator is Hörður G. Kristinsson, Matís' director of research and innovation

Further information on registration can be found at Rannís website.

News

Vacancy for a lecturer - research and teaching in aquaculture

An assistant professor is wanted to work in the joint position of the University of Hólar and Matís with an office in Verin in Sauðárkrókur.

Department of Aquaculture and Fish Biology Hólar University emphasizes research in aquaculture with special regard to environmentally friendly and profitable solutions in the industry, for example in terms of feed science, aquaculture environment, recycling and breeding. The faculty has 11 employees and in addition to them about two dozen students in master's and doctoral studies. Matís is a powerful knowledge company that carries out diverse research, service and innovation work in the food and biotechnology industry. Í Verinu is a vibrant community of scientists and the business community, and a forum for innovation in resource utilization.

The role of the employee must be to strengthen interdisciplinary research in the field of aquaculture with an emphasis on the disciplines of Hólar University and Matís.

The employee is expected to be able to formulate interdisciplinary research in aquaculture and related disciplines, conduct teaching and research, supervise master's and doctoral students and participate in the development of new products related to aquaculture.

Educational and qualification requirements:

  • doctoral degree in aquaculture, breeding, animal nutrition or related disciplines
  • experience of research in aquaculture or related fields, teaching, management, project design or development work
  • responsibility, initiative and competence in human relations
  • good English skills

The provisions of the Act on Public Universities no. 85/2008 and rules on new hiring and advancement of academic staff at Hólar University.

This is a 100% status. Wages are according to collective agreements of public employees. Remuneration, rights and obligations are otherwise governed by the Act on the Rights and Duties of Government Employees no. 70/1996. The applicant must be able to start work on 1 August 2016. For further information, please contact Bjarni Kristófer Kristjánsson, tel. +354 455 6386 and Anna Kristín Daníelsdóttir, tel. +354 858 5014.

The application deadline is May 30, 2016. Applications must be sent to the e-mail address umsoknir@holar.is marked „lecturer-aquaculture“. Applicants must enclose with their application copies of diplomas, CVs and summaries of academic work, as well as a statement of plans in the event of employment. The application must also be accompanied by a summary of publications and other scientific results that the applicant wishes to be taken into account in assessing eligibility, as well as the names of two reviewers.

All applications will be answered when a decision on employment is available. 

News

New Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture visits Matís

Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, recently visited Matís with some of the ministry's employees. He got acquainted with Matís 'operations, met Svein Margeirsson, Matís' CEO and several employees of the company.

Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Fisheries
and the Minister of Agriculture and
Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís.
Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson and Sveinn Margeirsson

The visit was enjoyable and it was important for Matís to shed light on the good work that the company's employees are doing.

We thank the Minister and the staff of the ministry for the visit.

News

Long live the first model - let's show the best

What is better than getting those who know how to work to show how good work is done. Matís and the National Association of Small Boat Owners (LS) are launching a competition among fishermen to show in words and pictures what is needed for first-class catch to land.

Social media will be used to show the work of fishermen and the fishermen themselves will take care of pictures and text.

At the end of each month, May, June, July and August, one fisherman will be selected who is considered to have delivered the best and most positive material. Only the pictures and the text will be evaluated and it will be up to Matís and LS to choose from the submitted and published pictures.

The aim of the project is to increase awareness of the importance of good catch management and how important it is to practice good work practices. It is necessary to show consumers in a positive way that things are going well and that we are working responsibly for the sustainable use of our common resource.

Photos or short videos can be of almost anything related to fishing, fishing and catch management. However, we first and foremost want to see images that capture the positive image of catch management and it is not wrong to wonder what it is that does your fish the best on the market and by what means you can show that in words and pictures.

It is not at all forbidden to be original and fun in the choice of images and give the imagination a little free rein because it will be a lot of work.

Instructions for the photo contest

You can participate in the competition via social media Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. You can also send an email with a photo and text to the email address fallegurfiskur@matis.is

Facebook

1. Go to the site www.facebook.com/fallegurfiskur or find the page in the Facebook phone app under Beautiful fish and click the "Like" button.
2. Take a picture that highlights the good handling of the catch / raw material, which means that first-class catch is landed.
3. Place the picture on the wall next to it www.facebook.com/fallegurfiskur and write descriptive text about the image.
4. Click the "Share" button or the button or button that shares the image and text on Facebook.

Instagram

1. Go to the site www.instagram.com/fallegurfiskur/ or find the page in the Instagram phone app under Beautiful fish and click the "Follow" button.
2. Take a picture that highlights the good handling of the catch / raw material, which means that first-class catch is landed.
3. Post the photo with descriptive text on your Instagram wall, but also do two things:
a. "Hash-tag" / use the hashtag (#) on the image / post with 1TP3Beautiful fish and
b. Add @beautifulfish to the text or "Tag" beautifulfish in the "Tag people" option
4. Click the "Share" button or the button or button that shares the photo and text on Instagram.

Twitter

1. Go to the site www.twitter.com/beautifulfish or find the page in the Twitter phone app under Beautiful Fish and click the "Follow" button.
2. Take a picture that highlights the good handling of the catch / raw material, which means that first-class catch is landed.
3. Post the image with descriptive text on your Twitter wall, but also do two things:
a. "Hash-tag" / use the hashtag (#) on the image / post with 1TP3Beautiful fish and
b. Add @beautifulfish to the text or "Tag" beautifulfish in the "Who's in this photo" option
4. Click the "Tweet" button or the button that shares the photo and text on Twitter.

For further information Jónas R. Viðarsson at Matís.

Related material:

News

Analysis of fisheries management systems: model use and simulation

On Monday 2 May, Sigríður Sigurðardóttir, an employee of Matís, will defend her doctoral dissertation in industrial engineering at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Iceland.

Opponents are dr. Villy Christensen, professor and director of the Institute of Marine and Fisheries Research at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and dr. Ronald Pelot, Professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada.

The supervisor was dr. Gunnar Stefánsson, Professor at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Iceland. Sigurjón Arason, professor at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition at the University of Iceland and chief engineer at Matís, dr. Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, dr. Páll Jensson, professor of industrial engineering at Reykjavík University, and dr. Birgir Hrafnkelsson, Associate Professor of Statistics at the Faculty of Science, University of Iceland.
 
Dr. Ólafur Pétur Pálsson, professor and dean of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, will chair the ceremony.

When does this event start: May 2, 2016 - 2:00 PM Event location: Box Further location: Room 132

Summary of study

Fisheries management is a difficult task that addresses a number of challenges, including an oversized fishing fleet, discards and unprofitable fishing. Fisheries can be seen as a system characterized by human interaction with natural resources. Computerized simulators are useful for raising awareness of fisheries management as well as supporting fisheries management decisions. Models are useful for assessing the impact of changes in fisheries management on various factors, such as fish stocks, employment and profitability. The changes are, for example, fishing restrictions, a change in the allocation of quotas or a requirement that all catch be landed.

The aim of the study was to promote better fisheries management. The purpose was to develop models and simulate fisheries management systems with the aim of comparing different approaches to fisheries management. This is done by looking at their impact on selected variables, which are either economic, biological or social. The main contribution of the study is to present methods that have so far been little or not used in this field. The research is interdisciplinary and combines modeling and simulation that has its roots in engineering and fisheries science based on ecology, economics and sociology. Three models were developed, a hybrid dynamics model consisting of a system dynamics model and a discrete-event simulation model and a new type of model similar to unit models. .-agent-based models). One part of the study dealt with discards, where twelve methods for reducing discards were systematically evaluated with a so-called SWOT analysis, which involves identifying strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities.

About the doctoral dissertation

Sigríður Sigurðardóttir was born on December 1, 1983. She completed her B.Sc. degree in 2007 in industrial engineering and a master's degree in the same subject in 2011. Sigríður's master's thesis dealt with models and ways to streamline milk processing at Mjólkursamlag Kaupfélag Skagfirðingar. In parallel with her doctoral studies, which began in 2011, Sigríður has worked for Matís on various projects, especially in the fisheries sector. Sigríður spent part of her studies abroad; at the University of California, Berkeley and Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg and was supervised by professors there.

Sigríður's husband is dr. Egil Maron Þorbergsson and they have a daughter Anna Ísafold.

News

The University of Iceland has almost 50 places on the list of the best universities in the world - Matís is a proud partner

It has probably not escaped many that the University of Iceland (UI) got another rose in the buttonhole earlier this week when the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-2015 published a list of the best universities in the world. The school moves up by almost 50 places on this list, from 270th place to 222nd.

There has long been a good connection between UI and Matís. Many of Matís' employees teach at the University of Iceland, especially in food and nutrition as well as teaching in biotechnology-related subjects. Matís staff is extremely proud that Matís is mentioned as a partner of this powerful university and looks forward to continued collaboration in the coming years and decades.

Matís congratulates the University of Iceland on this great recognition!

About the collaboration between UI and Matís

Matís has had a great and good collaboration with the University of Iceland on studies in food science, which is a collaborative project between the Faculty of Food and Nutrition at the University of Iceland and Matís. The study places great emphasis on students working on practical projects and being connected to the business world.

The collaboration with the University of Iceland is not limited to the Faculty of Food and Nutrition, as there is also extensive collaboration with the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences and also the School of Social Sciences.

In the summer of 2013, Matís and the University of Iceland entered into an agreement on extensive collaboration in the field of teaching and research. The agreement lays the foundation for further strengthening of theoretical and practical education in the field of food research and food safety, as well as co-operation in other areas of teaching and research. The agreement is an important step in the formal collaboration between Matís and the University of Iceland on the sharing of resources, research infrastructure and human resources. It includes the intention to be at the forefront of the fields of study covered by the agreement.

The University of Iceland has formulated a strategy for the year 2016, where emphasis is placed on doctoral studies, excellent research and teaching, as well as emphasis on collaboration with institutions and companies such as Matís. The University of Iceland conducts extensive research and teaching in the fields of study that Matís deals with, especially in the field of health sciences, engineering and natural sciences at the university.

Much is being done to ensure even better co-operation and good co-operation between parties in these important sectors. For example, in 2012, food science studies in Iceland were launched. In collaboration with Matís and the University of Iceland, in collaboration with other state-run universities, a new international master's program in food science was established, but the program has had a better impact and the number of students is increasing year by year. Further information about the program can be found here: www.framtidarnam.is.

In addition, a new division was established at Matís with the aim of connecting industry and the university community even better.

"With the establishment of a division for education and food production, we make Matís' activities and role more prominent and better connect the business community, education, research and development of food," says Guðjón Þorkelsson about the new field of education and food production that started working within Matís on the 1st. June 2012.

News

An interesting conference in Akureyri - Fisheries in the North

The Research Center of the University of Akureyri (RHA) is holding an interesting conference tomorrow, Friday 15 April. A number of good lecturers will give presentations related to the fishing industry and one of them is Sæmundur Elíasson from Matís and the University of Akureyri.

More information can be found on the website RHA.

News

Is a sustainable increase in fisheries possible in the light of climate change?

Climate change is real and lasting. Concerns about climate change are a threat to the sustainable growth of aquaculture and fisheries worldwide. The world's population is growing rapidly, demands for nutritious and healthy food are increasing and future forecasts point to a contraction in food production due to climate change.

ClimeFish - New project

ClimeFish is a European research project funded by the European Research Program, Horizon 2020, and work on the project began on 1 April. The aim of the project is to ensure that the production of marine products can increase, both in species and in areas where sustainable increase is possible, taking into account expected climate change. The project will be a factor in ensuring the safe supply of food, job security and the sustainable development of rural coastal areas.

The ClimeFish project will develop deviation examples and conduct a socio-economic analysis to identify risks and opportunities for aquaculture in the light of climate change. Methods will also be developed to reduce risk and identify opportunities in collaboration with stakeholders. This will serve the purpose of strengthening scientific advice and improving long-term production plans and policies. In the ClimeFish project, production will be examined in three areas, in fishing, aquaculture in the sea and aquaculture in lakes and ponds. Sixteen case studies will be carried out on more than 25 fish species across Europe. Stakeholders in the project are 21 from 16 countries and come from universities, research institutes and medium-sized companies.

For further information Jónas R. Viðarsson at Matís.

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