The ceremony was attended by over one hundred honorary guests and exhibitors from many of the 34 countries that are represented at the exhibition. In all, about 500 companies have stands at this year's exhibition which is about the same number as the last event held 2008.
In their speeces at the opening ceremony, Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling, Head of Events for the organisers, Mercator Media, Guðrún Pálsdóttir, Mayor of Kópavogur and Minister Jón Bjarnason all expressed gratitude for the excellent cooperation they all enjoyed in the run up to this important event. It is a vital platform for introducing the latest technology that will influence the industry all over the world in the future. According to Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling, Icelanders lead the world in this aspect and also lead the way in making the industry sustainable. Minister Jón Bjarnason emphasized the importane of preserving the resources and introduced a new regulation in Iceland requiring the fishing fleet to bring all the catch to shore. Making use of every part of every fish was the key to continued prosperity in the fisheries industry.
Marianne then escorted the Minister, the Mayor and other honorary guests around the exhibition where they stopped at several stands to look at new products and developments in the field. The exhibition covers all aspects of the fishing industry - from designing and building ships to the latest in nets and other fishing gear, processing equipment, packaging, shipping and marketing products from the sea. In addition, oil companies, banks, insurance companies and other branches important to the fishing industry, are represented at the exhibition.
