Icelandic Fisheries Awards Review 2005

However, thanks to a very well managed and profitable fishing industry, Iceland has been able to expand and diversify its economy and many Icelandic companies are now investing overseas --and not necessarily just in the fishing business either.

Icelanders are, therefore, more than ever aware of the importance of fishing for its economy and see it at the base and backbone for the high standard of life they are enjoying.

The Icelandic fishing industry remains optimistic and this optimism was very contagious at the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition 2005. The show had, both in terms of exhibitors and visitors, representatives from all parts of the industry that play an important role in the supply chain from sea to the plate.

Once again, after the successful first awards evening in 1999, the industry came together to recognise the outstanding achievements in supplying the fishing industry, both within Iceland and internationally, at the Icelandic Fisheries Awards.

This year, for the first time, the awards ceremony took place in a cocktail evening on the 7th of September at the Art Gallery Gerdarsfn, close to the exhibition centre at Kopavogur; 13 members of the global fishing industry where awarded with trophies and the awards evening was compered by television presenter and talk show Gisli Marteinn Baldursson. Speeches came from former Icelandic Fisheries Minister Arni Mathiesen, who was the Minister at that time, the Mayor of Kopavogur, Gunnar Birgisson and Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling, events manager of the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition.

Later that week, at the Exhibition Party Night, four exhibitors were awarded at the Broadway Hotel, Island in recognition of the products launched at the exhibition and the efforts on their stands.

The new generation of Icelanders also participated in the show. On Saturday, 10, three winning schools for the Project Fishing -- Past, Present and Future were handed their prizes in a ceremony hosted by the Minister of Fisheries and the Educational Minister. This project was launched for the first time aimed to create awareness amongst primary and secondary pupils of the importance of the fishing industry to Iceland.

The following pages are a tribute to the winners and finalists in each category.

Congratulations to them all.

Pilar Santamaria

Editor

Outstanding skipper: GUDMUNDUR EINARSSON

Gudmundur was a skipper for many years on board small fishing boats and was always in the frontline in terms of catches, determination and efficiency. He is now the skipper of the long-liner boat, Einar Hálfdá¡ns í­s. The chief executive officer of Islandsbanki, Bjarni Á?rmannsson handed the award to Gudmundur.

OUTSTANDING ICELANDIC FLEET: GJÖGUR EHF

Gjögur is a very progressive and successful fishing company with competent and efficient employees. Established in 1947, the company, owns and operates Iceland's newest pelagic fishing vessel, Hákon EA, as well as three other fishing vessels. The chief executive officer of Islandsbanki, Bjarni Armannsson handed the award to Gudmundur Thorbjrönsson director of Gjögur ehf.

OUTSTANDING ICELANDIC PROCESSOR: SAMHERJI - DALVÍK

Samherji has made great progress in adding value to fish products and fully utilising the raw material. It operates a model fish processing plant at Dalví­k, combining the latest technology, competent employees and a good working environment. The manager of Samherji-Dalvík fishing plant Gunnar Arnbjörnsson (left) and Gestur Geirsson, managing director of onshore operations of Samherji picked up the award.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: GÍSLI JÓN HERMANNSSON

The judges wished to grant this award to a person they feel has made an outstanding, long term contribution to the Icelandic fishing industry.

Gísli Jón has­ a long and impressive career in the fishing industry as a fisherman, skipper and then as the managing director of a progressive fishing company, Ögurví­k hf. Gísli Jón held a seat on the board of the Federation of Icelandic Fishing Vessels Owners (LÍÚ) for many years and was actively involved in various matters pertaining to the interests. Gísli Jón Hermannsson received the award from the chief executive of Sjóvá-Almennar Thorgils Öttar Mathiesen.

OUTSTANDING ICELANDIC SUPPLIER: CATCHING & RESEARCH EQUIPMENT: HAMPIDJAN

The Outstanding Icelandic Supplier of Catching and Research Equipment recognises companies, which have developed a product that has contributed greatly to efficient fishing, both in Iceland and overseas.

Hampi∂jan is a progressive, leading enterprise in the development, production and sale of fishing gear both in Iceland and abroad. The company is constantly searching for new and better solutions for the fishing industry. Jón Gudmann Pétursson, director of Hampidjan received the award.

OUTSTANDING ICELANDIC SUPPLIER CATCHING & RESEARCH EQUIPMENT small/medium company: STJÖRNU ODDI

Stjörnu Oddi (Star Oddi), has attracted a well-deserved attention for its development of a new technology in electronic fish tags. The director of Stjörnu Oddi Sigmar Gudbjörnsson (left) accepted the award from the manager director of Nexus Media, Tony Salter.

SUPPLIER PROCESSING SMALL/MEDIUM COMPANY: SKAGINN

Skaginn is a growing enterprise that has developed interesting innovations in the fishing industry, the latest being the cutting of fish fillets with Skaginn's Water-Jet Cutting technology. The general manager of Interfairs, Bjarni Thor Jónsson (right) handed the award to Ingólfur Á?rnason, CEO of Skaginn.

OUTSTANDING SUPPLIER PROCESSING LARGE COMPANY: MAREL

The judges wanted to award a company that helps vessels and processors to maintain the quality of the fish adding value to the catch, which is vital to make the industry profitable. Marel is a pioneer in high-technology development for the fish processing industry and is indeed an international leader in its field of expertise.

Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling, events manager of the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition, handed the award to Hördur Á?rnason, director of Marel.

OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL SUPPLIER CATCHING SMALL COMPANY: INTERNACIONAL DE REDES Y CUERDAS (IRC)

Internacional de Redes y Cuerdas (IRC) has recently integrated the ISO 14001 environmental management system in its quality management system. Its policy is environmentally orientated throughout the entire process of net manufacturing. This includes the use of biodegradable nets aimed at minimising lead content. Leopoldo Guillén, export manager of IRC, received the award from Pilar Santamarí­a, editor of World Fishing.

Outstanding INTERNATIONAL SUPPLIER CATCHING LARGE COMPANY: SIMRAD

Simrad is one of Europe's leading marine electronic companies. Its equipment has helped to tackle environmental problems while at the same time maximising the catch. Simrad's echo sounder equipment helps ensure the protection of juveniles and minimises the damage to the seabed.

Ögmundur Fridriksson, representative of Simrad in Iceland, picked up the award.

OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL SUPPLIER PROCESSING SMALLL COMPANY: NESCO

After participating in the European Union (EU) project on traceability 'tracefish', Nesco developed 'traceway', a weighing machine with an integrated traceability system that provides full traceability from sea to plate, helping secure better quality leading to higher prices and improving consumer confidence. Christopher Adams, sales manager of World Fishing, handed the award to Gordon C. Norman, technical sales director of Nesco.

INTERNATIONAL SUPPLIER PROCESSING LARGE COMPANY: BAADER

The judges agreed that Baader 'has contributed significantly' to the fish processing industry by developing a range of innovative machines. Baader has proved to be one of the most prolific companies in terms of product development in the international arena within the processing sector. Consul Petra Baader, Chief Executive Officer of Baader, received the award.

THE OVERALL OUTSTANDING SUPPLIER: HAMPI∂JAN

The outstanding overall supplier has been selected from among the six winners of the supplier awards. While acknowledging the immense contributions of the other winners and finalists, this award is made to a company which has not only increased efficiency and profitability, but taken the industry into a new era. It has constantly looked to the future, investing heavily and working closely with people from many areas to raise the level of technology in its field. Not only has it provided the technology to develop new fishery products, but it has helped to integrate fish handling and processing with the increasingly complex demands of the food industry. The judges decided that Hampidjan is making a major contribution to equip the fisheries industry for the demands of the 21st century. Hjörtur Erlendsson, general director of Hampidjan Baltic received the award from Sjóvá-Almennar Thorgils Óttar Mathiesen.

Best New Product: MAREN 2 FROM MARORKA

Maren 2 is a software package that utilizes computer simulation and optimization to reduce energy consumption and, therefore, to save fuel on ocean going vessels. The president of Eimskip, Baldur Gudnason, handed the award to the manager director of Marorka Jón Á?gúst Thorsteinsson

Best Individual Stand under 40 sq metres: KATLA

This award was given to the company with a stand under 40 sq metres which has the most eye catching and informative presentation of its products or services at the exhibition. The general manager of Interfairs, Bjarni Thor Jónsson handed the award to Katla's area manager for the fishing industry Sigmar Rafnsson.

Best Individual Stand over 40 sq metres: OLIS

This award was given to the company with a stand over 40 sq metres which has the most eye catching and informative presentation of its products or services at the exhibition. The director of marketing and sales for Olis, Jón Halldórsson, piched up the award.

Best National Group Stand: THE FAROE ISLANDS GROUP STAND

The judge looked at the national, regional or port group which has provided the most effective presentation of its members' products and services at the exhibition.

Annleyg Lamhauge, International Business Developer of the Faroe Islands Trade Council received the award from events manager of the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition, Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling.