The 2026 IceFish Bursary Awards have been announced in Reykjavik, recognising students supporting the future of commercial fishing and Icelandic fisheries.
Presented on 12 March at the Iceland Ocean Cluster Reykjavik, the awards are organised by the IceFish exhibition and underline its ongoing investment in the development of commercial fishing and aquaculture talent ahead of the September 2026 exhibition and conference.
Each recipient receives an ISK 300,000 bursary, split into two instalments, with the second tranche to be awarded during the IceFish Awards Ceremony on 22 September.
“I am delighted to present these bursary awards today,” said Sally Wattam, events director at Mercator Media, the organiser of IceFish.
“As the organisers of IceFish we work hard to support commercial fishing and aquaculture in Iceland, adapting and expanding IceFish as the sectors evolve and develop to meet current demands. We are also pleased to support the communities who work in the industries and particularly the next generation as they begin their careers and look to shape the future.”
Future talent
The three recipients - Katarzyna Staszek, Ewa Jaros and Malgorzata Barbara Sworowska - are all students at the Icelandic College of Fisheries, studying quality management while actively working within the commercial fishing sector.
Their roles span key Icelandic fisheries businesses, including Brim in Reykjavik, Jakob Valgeir in Bolungarvik and Nýfisk Sandgerdi in Sudurnesjaber, reflecting the close integration between education and industry in Icelandic fisheries.
The bursary programme highlights IceFish’s commitment to supporting both academic progression and practical experience within commercial fishing. Applications were evaluated by a specialist panel drawn from across Icelandic fisheries and the wider industry.
Judges included Klemenz Sæmundsson, headmaster of the Icelandic College of Fisheries; Hrefna Karlsdóttir, senior adviser at Fisheries Iceland; Kjartan Sveinsson, chairman of the National Association of Small Boat Owners and Bjarni Jonsson, representing IceFish.
Mr Sæmundsson emphasised the importance of the initiative, noting that the bursaries provide recognition not only for students but also for the institution.
He added that education remains critical to the continued advancement of Icelandic fisheries, with industry-backed initiatives such as IceFish reinforcing that commitment.
The IceFish exhibition and conference, a key event for the commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors, will take place from 22–24 September 2026 at the Smárinn, Fifan Halls in Kópavogur, Iceland.
If you would like to sponsor, exhibit or attend IceFish 2026, please contact the events team on +44 1329 825335 or email press@icefish.is
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