First introduced in 1999, the evening recognises and awards excellence within the Icelandic and International Fishing Industry, highlighting the most innovative and ground-breaking products and rewarding outstanding service.
This year's event was sponsored by Landsbankinn, Vonin, and Bureau Veritas. The winners were selected by a judging panel spearheaded by Gudjon Einarsson, the editor of Fiskifrettir, and Quentin Bates, editor of World Fishing and Aquaculture.
Held at the beautiful Gerðarsafn - Kópavogur Art Gallery, the event was compered by TV Presenter Gisli Marteinn, and was supported by both Fiskifrettir and World Fishing and Aquaculture.
For a full list of the Icelandic Fisheries Awards winners and the comments of the judges, please see below:
Best New Product launched at show: Fiskevegn AS, "the world's smallest precision baiter, the VestTek is set to be the 'missing link' in longline fishing taking a mid-spot between hand baiting and large high-cost longline precision baiting machines. Aimed specifically at the 5000-8000 hook sector, the VestTek takes up very little space onboard and is extremely efficient; baiting percentage is satisfyingly high, more than matching that of much larger machines that require higher investment and substantial vessel space.
Best individual stand up to 50m2: Cemre Shipyard
Best individual stand over 50m2: Egersund Islands
Best national, regional or group stand: Danish Fish Tech Group
Outstanding Icelandic Skipper: Guðmundur Th. Jónsson, "one of the Icelandic fleet's most successful skippers – he has for some years been skipper of multi-purpose fishing vessel Vilhelm Thorsteinsson landing the highest catch values of the entire Icelandic fleet."
Outstanding Icelandic Fleet: Rammi hf, "one of Iceland's most established fishing companies; earlier this year the company took delivery of a new factory trawler Solberg, a major event in the development of freezing at sea in Iceland"
Outstanding Icelandic Processor: Samherji, "has played a leading role in the development of fish processing technology in Iceland, recently taking a major step forward with its investment in a highly sophisticated new fish processing facility in Dalvik"
Outstanding Achievement: Arthur Bogason, "one of the main figures behind the establishment of the National Association of Small Boat Owners created 3 decades ago, President until 2013, the award is 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."
Catch efficiency at sea large company > 50 staff: Thyborøn Trawldoor, "this year celebrating its fiftieth year of manufacturing its familiar blue ttrawl doors in the Danish port of Thyborøn. Notable successes include its contributions to developing demersal trawling with the doors off the seabed with its Type 14VF doors, and more recentluy the introduction of its versatile Flipper and Bluestream trawl doors."
Catch efficiency at sea small company < 50 staff: Skipasýn, "Naval architect Skipasýn has been at the forefront of innovative fishing vessel design and the latest new vessels built to its designs, Breki and Pall Palsson, feature a revolutionary superpropeller that brings a new level of fuel efficiency."
Processing sector value creation large company > 50 staff: Skaginn 3X,"pioneered the development of numerous shore-based and seagoing fish handling and processing systems. The award is for an innovative approach to fish storage on fresher trawlers that dispenses with the need for ice."
Processing sector value creation small company < 50 staff: Curio, "in recognition of its recently developed range of fish processing equipment that includes innovative filleting technology giving higher yields. The company is also active on export markets and has established a UK subsidiary."
Smart award: Vónin, "Faroese fishing gear manufacturer has developed the Flyer as a lift-generating device and alternative to conventional trawl floats. As well as the Flyer's efficiency in opening trawl gears, there is a strong environmental aspect to this, reducing the amount of waste plastic going into the ocean."
Fleet development award: Skipatækni, "the Icelandic naval architect responsible for the ground-breaking design of the four new trawlers built at the Cemre yard in Turkey for Samherji and Fisk Seafood."
Overall outstanding supplier: Skipatækni / Bárður Hafsteinsson, "the names of naval architect and veteran ship designer are virtually inextricable. 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."
