A swathe of awards were presented yesterday at the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition to industry figures and companies, with a welcoming speech by fisheries minister Thorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir.
The event held at the Gerðarsafn gallery in Kópavogur recognises excellence in the Icelandic and international fishing industry and was sponsored by Landsbankinn, Vónin and Bureau Veritas.
The award for the best new product at the exhibition went to Fiskevegn for its VestTek longline system, aimed at coastal fishing vessels in the 5000-8000 hook bracket.
Cemre Shipyard, Egersund Islands and the Danish Fish Tech group took awards for the best stands at the exhibition in various categories and awards for outstanding fishing companies in fishing and processing categories went to Rammi and Samherji.
The award for the outstanding lifetime achievement went to Arthur Bogason, for many years president of the National Association of Small Boat Owners, in recognition for bringing together a disparate group of small boat fishermen which resulted in the establishment of a powerful organisation that has defended the rights of inshore fishermen with determination.
Award in the technical section went to naval architects Skipasýn and Skipatækni, to Thyborøn Trawldoor, Vónin, Curio and Skaginn 3X.
The overall award for the outstanding supplier was awarded to Bárður Hafsteinsson of Skipatækni.
‘The names of naval architect and veteran ship designer are virtually inextricable,’ Marianne Rasmussen of exhibition organiser Mercator Media said in presenting the award.
‘Responsible for the designs of many of the most successful and long-serving fishing vessels in the Icelandic fleet, he has been behind the distinctive inverted bow, a development process that goes back thirty years. The award is deserved for both his pioneering design work and for his long record of successful fishing designs.’
The Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition takes place 13-15th September at the Smárinn centre in Kópavogur.
