Eight hundred companies and organizations are participating in the The Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition which starts today and lasts till Saturday, September 10th. The exhibition is held in 13.000 square meters of covered exhibition space in Smári in Kópavogur.
Exhibitors are from 35 countries including China, Malaysia, Spain, Norway, and Holland.
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, RÚV, reports that the participation is up by 15% from the year 2002, which, according to the director of the exhibition, is an accomplishment in light of the fact that participation at most international shows is decreasing.
The show is held every three years, this is the eighth show in Iceland. According to the Icelandic Trade Council the show will be covering every aspect of the commercial fishing industry from catching and locating, to processing and packaging, right through to marketing, distribution and sales of the final product.
In an announcement of the exhibition the Trade Council writes “Iceland is heavily depended on its fishing industry and is home to 1.872 registered fishing vessels. The year of the last show, 2002, was the second best year in Iceland’s history with a catch of over 2.1 million tonnes of fish. The 2003 value of exported seafood was 1.5 billion US dollars or 62% of the total value of exported goods, which demonstrates just how vital the fishing industry is to the country. Iceland has declined membership of the EU and by closely maintaining control of its fish stocks and vessel activity, it is one of the few countries within Europe, which will not be affected by EU ordered catch restrictions. This show is vital, not only to the Icelanders but, to any international company looking to enter this stable market.”
