IceFish 2026 celebrates innovation and industry achievement at 10th Icelandic Fisheries & Aquaculture Awards. The 10th Icelandic Fisheries & Aquaculture Awards, hosted by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and the City of Kópavogur, took place yesterday evening following the opening day of the internationally renowned Icelandic Fisheries, Seafood & Aqua Exhibition, IceFish 2026.

First introduced in 1999, the awards recognise outstanding achievement within Iceland’s fishing, aquaculture and seafood sectors, alongside the international companies and innovators contributing to their continued development. The evening celebrates innovation, technical progress, sustainable resource use and the people whose work continues to advance the industry.

Held at Salurinn Concert Hall in Kópavogur, the awards brought together leading representatives from across the global fishing, processing, aquaculture and seafood communities.

The awards were sponsored by Arion Bank, Hampidjan and Vonin, whose support helped make the evening’s celebration of innovation, professional excellence and industry achievement possible.

The Innovation in Fishing Award was presented by Thordur Oskarsson to Momoi Fishing Net MFG. Co. for its Ecoloop Project. The project was recognised for its contribution to innovation within the fishing sector.

Alexandra Leeper presented the Innovation in Processing Award to JBT Marel for the Evi Salmon Gutting Machine, recognising the company’s work in developing processing technology for the seafood industry.

In the Innovation in Aquaculture category, Runar Magni Jonsson of Arion Banki presented the award to Hampidjan for BioSeize. Ration received an honourable mention in the category for RationFEED.

Andrew Webster presented the Innovation in Whole Fish Utilisation Award to the 100% Great Lakes Fish Initiative. Havdis received an honourable mention for its work, Unlocking the Healing Power of Atlantic Cod Milt.

The Best New Product Launched at IceFish Award was presented by Omar Mar Jonsson to Mikra Sea Urchin Saw. Louise Clarke presented the Best New Start-up Award to GreenFish.

The awards also recognised individuals whose contribution and leadership have made a lasting impact on the Icelandic fishing industry. Óli á Gravarbø of Vonin presented the Outstanding Icelandic Skipper Award to Captain Theodór Elvar Haraldsson.

The Icelandic Lifetime Achievement Award was jointly presented to Örn Pálsson and Arthur Bogason by Hjörtur Erlendsson of Hampidjan, in recognition for their contribution to the Icelandic fishing industry for decades.

The 10th Icelandic Fisheries & Aquaculture Awards highlighted the scale of innovation taking place across the industry, from fishing gear, aquaculture and processing technology to resource utilisation, new products and start-up enterprise.

For more information about IceFish 2026, visit icefish.is.

Image: IceFish