Visit from Dalian Ocean University
Long-standing partners from Dalian Ocean University paid GRÓ FTP a visit last week to discuss ongoing and future cooperation.
The delegation, representing one of Northeast China’s leading fisheries research institutes, explored recent developments in Icelandic fisheries and aquaculture.
The group was led by Professors Ding Jun, Li Baosheng, and Wang Wei, and also included former FTP fellow Xing Kun and prospective fellow Zhang Qian.
Long standing partnership
Dalian Ocean University (DLOU) is one of GRÓ FTP’s earliest partner organisation.
The first two fellows from Dalian Ocean University arrived in Iceland in 2000, two years after establishment of the FTP programme.
Since then almost every year 1-2 fellows from the university have participated in the programme, gradually bringing the total number to 29.
Interestingly, the gender balance is almost equal: 15 male and 14 female.
Over the almost 30 years of partnership much has changed in fisheries of both countries which is partly reflected in changing nature of the cooperation.
Thus, for example, the educational level of fellows has increased. In the early years relatively few had attained PhD when they came to the programme. Nowadays this has become the rule.
Furthermore, the lines they choose for specialisation has diversified.
In the beginning most of the fellows from DLOU opted for the Quality Management of Fish Handling line of specialisation.
Lately, however, their choice has become more varied, with substantial number joining either the Stock Assessment line or Sustainable Aquaculture line.
A day crammed with activity
The guests only stayed in Iceland for one whole working day.
However, it was a day crammed with activities, including a visit to the Ocean Cluster innovation center in the Reykjavík harbour, the aquaculture equipment provider Vaki in Kópavogur and the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (Hafró) in Hafnarfjörður, home base of the FTP programme.
When they arrived at Hafró they were greeted by interim CEO, Eggert Benedikt Guðmundsson, together with all the staff of the GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme.
Since the guests had expressed special interest in cold-water aquaculture, Dr Theódór Kristjánsson, head of FTP‘s Sustainable Aquaculture line, gave a presentation about recent trends in aquaculture in Iceland.
The guests greatly appreciated the chance of going on board Hafró’s research vessel, Árni Friðriksson, to have a glimpse of the facilities on board for environmental and fish stock expeditions.
Finally, fish biologist, Tómas Árnason, welcomed the group at Hafró’ s aquaculture station in Grindavík and briefly introduced some of the ongoing experiments there.
