High-Level visit from PICs and WB

The PICs delegation consisted of nine delegates, seven from PICs and two from the WB. The names and positions are shown in the table below.

Participant	Position & Title	Country
Steven Victor	Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment (Honourable Minister)	Palau
Fabio Siksei	Fisheries Specialist at Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment	Palau
Jelta Wong	Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources (Honourable Minister)	PNG
Gerry Katai	Manager Economics and Commercial Research, NFA	PNG
Simon Kaumi	Senior Officer International Fisheries, NFA	PNG
Api Kassman	First Secretary at the Office of the Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources	PNG
James Teri	Deputy Secretary Technical at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources	Solomon Islands
Nika Asasi	Operational Analyst	World Bank
Xavier Vincent	Senior Fisheries Specialist	World Bank

The days were organized thematically, with the first day devoted to “The Icelandic Fisheries Management – experience and resources and the role of the public sector”. Day two focused on “Integrating the Fisheries Sector into the Icelandic Economy”. The last day was dedicated to “Ancillary Services, Private Sector Investment, and the use of Geothermal Energy in Fish Processing”.

The opening of the Knowledge Exchange visit was hosted at the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute with an opening remark from Ms. Hanna Katrin Fridriksson, Minister of Industries. The days were arranged with lectures from key experts on resource economics, management, science, and monitoring and surveillance, and visit to various companies and institutions, accompanied by fruitful discussions. Among the companies visited were, Matis (food science and technology), Ocean Cluster (entrepreneurs), Visir (high technology fish processing), Haustak (fish drying facilities), and Marel (fish processing technology). The group visited Grindavik, a fishing village that has recently been evacuated due threatening volcanic eruptions, showcasing the resilience of the fish processors and how they have had to cope with processing their fish for export while the community is struggling.

The visit was finalised at a dinner hosted by MFA, where Mr. Jon Erlingur Jonasson, special envoy for the ocean, received the delegates to discuss the diplomatic aspects of the fisheries. Overall, the delegates were very pleased with the Knowledge Exchange visit and both ministers described it as a “mind-blowing experience”. They praised the agenda and the organisation of the visit, and how all presenters were dedicated and enthusiastic in delivering their message and willing to discuss matters freely.

AGENDA

WEDNESDAY, 18 JUNE 2025

Theme: Fisheries Management Experiences and Resources – The Role of the Public Sector

Location: Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI), Hafnarfjörður

08:15 | Pick-up from hotel (08:15 at Hotel Grand and then 08:30 at Hilton Hotel) and transfer to MFRI

09:00 | Opening Remarks – Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, Minister of Industries

09:10 | Introduction of the Agenda – Julie Ingham, Deputy Director, GRÓ FTP

09:15 | Icelandic Fisheries Development – Presentation on the evolution of Icelandic fisheries from effort/input-based to output-based management systems, outlining the challenges and solutions (towards ITQ). Speaker: Hörður Sævaldsson

10:00 | Refreshments

10:15 | Visit to Research Vessel “Þórunn Þórðardóttir” - Tour of Iceland’s new research vessel. Presentation on the monitoring of Icelandic fish stocks (fisheries independent data collection) by the MFRI.

10:45 | MFRI’s Advisory Role – Presentation on the key areas of scientific work carried out at MFRI. Speaker: Thór Ásgeirsson, Director, GRÓ FTP.

11:30 | Directorate of Fisheries – Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) systems and the enforcement of fisheries regulations. Speakers: Elín Björg Ragnarsdóttir, Director General, Erna Jónsdóttir Director of Fisheries Management and Legal Affairs, and Viðar Ólason Director of Surveillance.

12:15 | Guided Tour of MFRI - Tour of laboratories and facilities, showcasing the infrastructure supporting marine research in Iceland.

12:45 | Lunch (MFRI)

13:30 | Role of the Ministry of Industries (Fisheries) – Discussion on the role of the Ministry in creating an enabling environment for the fisheries sector, including legislation, rural support schemes, shared stock agreements, and competitive funding for R&D. Speaker: Kolbeinn Arnason, Director General, Division of Fisheries.

14:45 | Visit to JBT Marel - a global leader in food processing solutions, providing solutions, services and software to the fish, poultry and meat processing industries with sustainability at the core of the business, reducing waste and improving yields and creating economic value. The visit will focus on the use of technology and IT in fish processing.

16:00 | End of Day 1. Return to hotel.

THURSDAY, 19 JUNE 2025

Theme: Integrating the Fisheries Sector into the Icelandic Economy

Location: Around Reykjavik and the old fishing harbour.

08:15 | Pick-up from hotel (08:15 at Hotel Grand, and 08:30 at Hotel Hilton) and transfer to Matís

09:00 | Matís – Food Research & Biotechnology - Introduction to diverse projects in the food industry with a focus on innovation and value addition to strengthen the competitiveness of Icelandic products. Presentation on full utilisation, cooling in processing and handling, and shelf life for export. Walk around Matís showcasing facilities required for research.

11:00 | Visit to the Ocean Cluster House – Visit to a cluster collaboration with over 70 companies providing a platform for collaboration and innovation. Host: Oddur Ísar Þórsson

12:00 | Lunch at Fishing Harbour, Reykjavík

13:00 | Reykjavík Maritime Museum - Guided tour around the museum exhibiting 150 years of Icelandic fisheries.

13:30 | The Value of Icelandic Fisheries – Presentation and discussion on Icelandic fisheries contribution to the Icelandic economy. Presenter: Dr. Gunnar Haraldsson, CEO, Intellecon.

14:30 | Fisheries Iceland (SFS) – Organisation representing the interests of stakeholders in the fisheries sector. Presentation on fisheries development and how enterprises deal with current fisheries management and the investment required. Presenter: Dr. Hrefna Karlsdóttir, Fisheries Management and International Affairs.

15:30 | Visit to Training Ship “Sæbjörg” - Presentation on their role in safety training for workers in the fishery sector.

16:30 | End of Day 2. Return to hotel.

FRIDAY, 20 JUNE 2025

Theme: Ancillary Services, Private Sector Investment, and Geothermal Energy in Fish Processing

Location: Reykjanes peninsula, small fishing towns.

07:45 | Pick-up from hotel (07:45 at Hotel Grand, and 08:00 at Hotel Hilton) and transfer to Grindavík

09:00 | Visit to Vísir – a well-established and innovative fishing company with state-of-the-art processing facilities in Grindavík.

11:00 | Visit to Haustak - a leader in the technique of drying fish using geothermal energy and boasts Iceland´s largest fish drying factory. The focus of the visit will be full utilisation of fish and geothermal energy.

13:00 | Lunch at Sjávarsetrið, Sandgerði

13:40 | Auction Fish Market – Fiskmarkaður Suðurnesja - a B2B fish market in Sandgerði. Overview of an internet-based fish market and how the price of fish is determined and online auctioning.

14:50 | Icelandic College of Fisheries – Fisktækniskólinn – college offering studies in fish technology to prepare students for a range of jobs in fisheries and aquaculture. Focus: how to service the industry by building human capacity. Host: Ólafur Arnbjörnsson, Founder and former director.

16:00 | Return to hotel in Reykjavík and break before working dinner at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Working dinner in Reykjavik