A global industry comes together in Iceland
The 15th edition of the Icelandic Fisheries and Aquaculture Exhibition and Conference delivered everything expected of it – and considerably more.
Better known as IceFish, the event took place in Kópavogur, Iceland, from 22–24 September, bringing together the fishing and aquaculture industries for three days of business, innovation, knowledge-sharing and networking.
Traditionally a celebration of Iceland’s commercial fishing sector, IceFish has developed into an increasingly international event, attracting exhibitors and visitors from across the globe, with attendees travelling from countries including Canada and Japan.
Opening the exhibition, Iceland’s Minister of Industries, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, reflected on just how far the industry – and the event itself – has developed since IceFish began in 1984.
“A great deal has changed since 1984. There was no exhibition app on your phone, artificial intelligence was not helping with decisions, and remote monitoring usually meant someone standing close enough to keep an eye on things. One thing has remained constant though: progress depends on people meeting, comparing experience, and be willing to try a better way.”
That theme of bringing people together was evident throughout the three-day event.
Providing a platform for the industry to develop new relationships, exchange ideas and create business opportunities remains at the heart of IceFish, and feedback from exhibitors suggested that the 2026 event delivered strongly on those objectives.
EquaFish CEO and co-founder Eirik Lillebudal said: “The second day was incredible; I think we had fish farmers from every continent visiting us. We came here to talk to fish farmers in Iceland, and we have also had a lot of good meetings with fish farmers from the worldwide community.”
For Kaeling CEO and owner Alti Steinn Jonsson, the response to the company’s presence was equally positive.
“It’s been good. It’s been great. Those past two days we have had important people on the stand and a lot of interest in our product, so I’m pleased, very pleased.”
The opportunity to receive direct feedback from customers and potential users was another important element of the exhibition.
Jón Birgir Gunnarsson of JBT Marel said: “It was…heartwarming to get direct user input regarding our new Curio Whitefish skinner, apparently it’s a no brainer in comparison to competing products and only the cost of ownership is enough to justify the investment, I love to hear feedback like this on new products.”
The international nature of IceFish was also reflected in the contribution from organisations such as Danish Ocean Cluster.
“As expected, we heard inspiring ideas from startups, researchers and companies from around the world,” the organisation said.
The value of meeting face-to-face
While technology continues to transform the fishing and aquaculture industries, IceFish demonstrated the continuing importance of face-to-face contact.
SaePlast highlighted the value of reconnecting with existing customers and industry colleagues, as well as meeting new contacts.
“One of the best parts of these exhibitions is catching up with people. Customers we have worked with for years, friends from the industry and new people who take the time to stop and talk.
“It is always interesting to hear what people have been working on, how things are going and what they have planned next. We learn a lot from those conversations and appreciate people sharing their experiences with us.”
NP Innovation echoed that sentiment.
“A big thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, shared ideas and took the time to talk water treatment and aquaculture with us…It was great to have the opportunity to share our knowledge and be part of the discussions shaping the future of aquaculture.
“Once again, thank you, IceFish for bringing the industry together.”
Aquaculture takes centre stage
One of the clearest developments at this year’s IceFish was the increased prominence of aquaculture.
Aquaculture is a growing sector in Iceland and internationally, and this was reflected in the introduction of the new Aquaculture Hub.
Featuring both new and established exhibitors, the Hub attracted a steady flow of engaged visitors and provided a dedicated space for companies working across the increasingly diverse aquaculture supply chain.
George Mantas, Business Development Director at AquaBio Tech Group, was exhibiting in the Hub and said the company was pleased with its first IceFish.
“We are very pleased with our first attendance and exhibition at the show. We see that the Icelandic community share the same vision of growing a premium, sustainable aquaculture sector, and there is a dynamism and excitement about what the future brings.”
The aquaculture sector also had its own dedicated conference programme, Aquaculture – Driving Sustainable Growth.
Chaired by Ólöf Helga Jónsdóttir, the conference brought together 16 expert speakers across four sessions to examine some of the key issues facing the sector.
Closing the conference, the chair said: “We came looking for ideas to pass on and this was just what the conference delivered…”
From ideas to action
The established 100% Fish for Profit conference also formed an important part of the IceFish programme, with a strong focus on innovation, collaboration and the practical opportunities emerging across the seafood industry.
Thor Sigfursson, founder of the Iceland Ocean Cluster, and Dr Alexandra Leeper, CEO of the Cluster, headed the event, which had a particularly international feel as Ocean Cluster representatives from around the world came together at IceFish.
A packed room heard from Icelandic and international speakers covering the latest technologies, transferable successes, research and development, novel markets, new ventures and examples of innovation already being put into practice.
Thor Sigfursson said: “So inspiring…great days come with all the stories…this has been much more enlightening than I thought.
“I am just so happy how things are moving, which is the crucial part of the whole thing, that we’re not sitting here just to talk about things, we’re basically saying this is happening right now.”
Dr Leeper summed up the atmosphere by saying: “It’s been an awesome day and a half of conference. It has just been wonderful, absolutely buzzing.”
Celebrating industry achievement
No IceFish would be complete without its prestigious Awards evening, which took place on the first evening of the exhibition.
Attended by the Minister of Industries and the Japanese Ambassador to Iceland, the awards recognised innovation across both commercial fishing and aquaculture, alongside individual achievements within the Icelandic industry.
Awards were presented to an outstanding Icelandic skipper and two leading figures were recognised for their lifetime contributions to the industry.
For Icelandic exhibitor GreenFish, being recognised as Best New Startup was a particular highlight.
“We were honoured and grateful to be awarded Best New Startup… Being recognised alongside established names in Icelandic industry such as Hampiðjan Group and JBT Marel, as well as legendary skippers and exciting new technology from across the sector, made it extra special.”
An increasingly international event
IceFish’s growing importance on the international stage was underlined by a series of VIP and diplomatic visits during the exhibition.
Delegations from Spain, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Türkiye and Japan visited the event, with diplomatic and trade representatives touring the exhibition and meeting exhibitors.
The visits provided an opportunity for international representatives to familiarise themselves with the technologies, products and expertise on display, with the aim of encouraging further participation from businesses in their respective regions.
Norse Shipyard welcomed Türkiye’s Ambassador to Iceland, Mustafa Levent Bilgen, to its stand.
“We were pleased to welcome Türkiye’s Ambassador in Reykjavik, Mr. Mustafa Levent Bilgen, to our stand…We had a great conversation about our ongoing projects, engineering capabilities, and future plans in the fishing and aquaculture sectors….Wishing him every success in his new role.”
Looking ahead
For an industry facing significant challenges – from changing markets and regulation to sustainability, technology, climate pressures and the need to improve efficiency – the value of events such as IceFish is increasingly apparent.
Over three days in Kópavogur, businesses had the opportunity to demonstrate new technologies, meet customers, explore new markets and exchange ideas, while conferences provided a forum for examining some of the most important issues shaping the future of fisheries and aquaculture.
Perhaps most importantly, IceFish provided an opportunity for people to meet.
As Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson noted in her opening remarks, technology may have transformed the industry since the first IceFish in 1984, but progress still depends on people meeting, sharing experience and being willing to try a better way.
The response from exhibitors and visitors suggested that, despite the challenges facing the sector, there is no shortage of ideas, ambition or willingness to collaborate.
IceFish 2026 appears to have provided the platform for all three.
Main Images Icefish © Bragi Thor Josefsson
