Today, Arnljótur Bjarki Bergsson, director of Matís, handed over to Einar Kristin Guðfinnsson, Speaker of the Althing, 63 copies of the booklet "The importance of good handling of fish", which Matís recently had reprinted.
Fisheries are close to Icelanders, as the fisheries sector has been one of the country's basic industries and a rich source of income. It is therefore not surprising that most people have an opinion on the fishing industry, and especially MPs. In discussions about the fishing industry, however, it is seldom discussed what matters if the value of the products is to be processed, that is, the importance of good handling of fish from the time it is pulled from the sea, so that the quality of the fish can be preserved. Quality is the basis of value.
It was therefore considered appropriate to hand over to the members of the Althingi the booklet: "The importance of good handling of fish", which was reprinted this summer by Matís. The booklet addresses in particular the five most important aspects of the treatment of freshly caught fish; bleeding, gutting, washing, hygiene and cooling. Extensive knowledge of the importance of good fish handling is important for everyone, no less for those who discuss fisheries management than those who fish.
The Speaker of the Althingi is pleased with the gift
Einar Kristinn Guðfinnsson, Speaker of the Althingi and former Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, received the brochure on behalf of Althingi members. He was very pleased with the initiative and said: "This is a much needed and good initiative on the part of Matís. Good raw material handling provides even more opportunities for the Icelandic fisheries sector and can contribute to greatly increased value creation. Our fisheries management system encourages good utilization of the raw material. Those who utilize the fishery resource have a certain amount at their disposal, and as a result, incentives are created for fishermen, fishing companies and fish processing to create as much value as possible from limited catch quotas. Their interests therefore lie in managing the resource well, maximizing yields. We have also seen that value creation per kilogram given has increased remarkably in recent years. That does not change the fact that it can be done even better. "
"We are far from reaching any limits. The opportunities are many, such as improved catch management from fishing until the fish has become a finished product that is sold on a demanding market, but also in all kinds of by-products that were not utilized but have now become of great value. It has been interesting to follow developments in this field as well as the collaboration of scientists and those working in the field. We always keep in mind that good resources are not a check on value creation, but how they are used. "
Food security is the basis of food security
At Matís, great emphasis is placed on innovation and the valuable increase in seafood, but it is clear that the basis of all food production is good raw materials and if the intention is to maximize product prices, it is clear that the handling of raw materials must be as good as possible, or as Sigurjón Arason Matís' chief engineer, has said: "no one makes gold out of shit", which are truly true words. Therefore, it is of little importance to have enough food if it is not fit for human consumption.