The fisheries conference ended this afternoon. A lot of interesting things came out and there were only four Matís employees with presentations, but in addition Sveinn Margeirsson, Matís' CEO, chaired the meeting and Anna Kristín Daníelsdóttir sits on the board of the Fisheries Conference.
Sarah Helyar gave a lecture on genetic research and its use in aquaculture and Sigurjón Arason gave a talk on what is technically feasible when it comes to the utilization of additional raw materials on board fishing vessels. Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir gave a lecture that attracted deserved attention, but her talk was about the opportunities in processing extra raw materials. Finally, on this first day, there was a presentation from Matís about the opportunities that lie in the processing of pelagic fish, but Guðmundur Stefánsson gave that lecture in the absence of Vígfús Þ. Ásbjörnsson, Matís' station manager at Höfn in Hornafjörður.
Matís also had a booth where barley seaweed paste was introduced, UNA Skincare skincare (unaskincare.com) and Gunna á Rif who owns and operates Reykhöll Gunna also presented wonderful smoked saithe which she has developed in close collaboration with Matís.
Gunna in Rif has worked with Icelandic seafood for many years. She is a professional in its handling and Icelandic seafood has been and is one of her hobbies. The aim of the applicants is to strengthen the foundations of her company, Reykhallar Gunna, with an increased product range and improve the company's market appearance. By doing so, applicants believe that it is possible to increase the activities of the company, which will be used closer to its environment with increased jobs in the area and no less strengthen the collaboration of entrepreneurs like Gunna with companies in the area.
The project is the development of a new product on the Icelandic market, sweet-smoked fish, based on a centuries-old recipe of the North American Indians. The goal is to develop a new product from Icelandic raw materials with an emphasis on its origin from Snæfellsnes. The philosophy of the project is to create a finished product through collaboration between a processing company and a raw material producer. This is increasing the value of raw materials in the area and at the same time creating food souvenirs for tourists in the area and a new product for the Icelandic consumer market. In order for this to happen, the applicants believe that the brand and marketing of Reykhalla Gunna also need to be improved.
The project is encouraging an entrepreneur like Gunna to achieve further and enable her company to create a place among companies in the area. The vision for the future is to complete more seafood and even agricultural products under the Reykhalla Gunna brand. With this collaboration, the foundation is being laid for closer collaboration between the companies in the future regarding product development and finishing. For a raw material producer such as Sjávariðjan, it can be invaluable to be close to a strong processing company, as is the intention that Reykhöll Gunna can become.
The product of the project is a new product made from raw materials in the area that will deliver added value and new knowledge. The project will create a production process for a new product; sweet smoked fish. Such a product is known abroad and has created a permanent place for itself. Certain aspects of this production are not well known in this country to deliver a competitive product, but with the project that knowledge is created. The product of the project is therefore a new production process, new knowledge, new products and a stronger brand for the finished product from Snæfellsnes.
With this collaborative project, we are supporting innovation and product development for an entrepreneur who wants to strengthen the product range, increase the value of the product and its competitiveness. The project is to increase activity and create more jobs in the near future at Gunna Hall Gunna in Rif.
Matís' involvement in the project will contribute to the transfer of knowledge of processing processes and the handling of the raw material. At the same time, Sjávariðjan's involvement in the project will strengthen co-operation with Reykhöll Gunna, but the intention is for Sjávariðjan to be involved in raw material handling before smoking and to put its hand to the plow with facilities for drying. Thus, the project will contribute to increased business development in Snæfellsbær. The co-operation of the companies in the project will strengthen Reykhalla Gunna's knowledge, increase the supply of products, strengthen product development and acquire new knowledge in the field of smoking that will increase the value of raw materials in the area.
The entire agenda of the Fisheries Conference can be found here.