The bursary awards, created after the 2014 Icefish exhibition aim to help support and re-invest in the future of the fishing sector.

The winners, Hallgrímur Jónsson, 22 years old from Grindavík, specialising in Marel-Processing Techniques, and Jóhanna Sigurlaug Eiríksdóttir, 30 years old from Sauðárkrókur, specialising in Quality Control are both students at the Icelandic College of Fisheries in Grindavik.

Both Hallgrímur and Jóhanna have already completed a two year foundation course in fisheries and processing technology, with the bursary going towards the final year to qualify in their specialist areas.

Marianne Rasmussen, Events Director, commented "In the wake of the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition 2017 the organisers realized the importance of investing in the future of the fishing industry in Iceland, and encourage promising individuals that will shape the sector in the years to come, improve its standard and introduce new and exciting ideas,"

Further adding "We decided therefore to set aside ISK2 million to establish a bursary for candidates seeking to specialize further in fisheries technology and fish processing at the Icelandic College of Fisheries, based in Grindavík. I'm very pleased with the panel's choice and I'm convinced that both Johanna and Hallgrimur will contribute to making Iceland's energetic fishing industry even better."

The next two awards of ISK 500,000 will be launched in the autumn of 2017 with the winners being announced in another ceremony in January/February of 2018.

For the full article on the bursary announcements click here.