Fisheries Science Centre

The Fisheries Science Centre of the University of Akureyri (SHA) is under the School of Business and Science at the University. The Fisheries Science Centre is intended to strengthen ties between the University and industry.

The Fisheries Science Centre has one full-time position, which is strengthened through research grants. Students in BSc and MSc studies are hired as short-term or long-term project managers.

Project Manager: Guðrún Arndís Jónsdóttir - gudruna@unak.is

Objectives

The objectives are to

  • Strengthen the leadership of UNAK in education and research on the fisheries sector
  • Enhance applied research, projects and training related to fisheries
  • Strengthen collaboration between UNAK and the sector
  • Improve the public image of fisheries
  • Strengthen studies in fisheries science at UNAK

Collaboration

The Centre collaborates with the following parties:

The specialists of the institutions conduct a significant amount of teaching at the Faculty. Joint projects are also carried out.

Projects of the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute and the Fisheries Science Centre

The specialists of the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute in Akureyri serve in a 50% position at UNAK.

They have, for example, taught the following subjects:

  • Oceanography and meteorology
  • Marine biology
  • Fisheries biology
  • Fish stock assessment and fishing gear technology

They have also done part-time teaching in various other courses.

The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute goes on an annual trip with students in fisheries biology. This is the so-called Eyjafjarðarrall (Eyjafjörður rally). Nets are put out at six to ten places at various spots in the fjord.

The original role of the rally was to get the students’ hands a bit dirty and in the process teach them work methods for researching fish. Now the data has become scientifically interesting.

Matís and the Fisheries Science Centre

Students have worked on summer projects in collaboration with the Matís office in Akureyri.

Among the projects are the following:

  • Improved fertilisation of halibut roe
  • Experimental growing of natural animal plankton
  • Proteom of cod larvae with different types of feeding
  • Timing of immune response of halibut larvae
  • Detailed examination of cod from the fishing grounds to the stomach of the fish - research into factors that influence the value of the cod catch

The United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme and the Fisheries Science Centre

The United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme is a collaborative project between the United Nations University, Marine and Freshwater Research Institute and Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Teachers at the University of Akureyri participate in the teaching of individual courses in the United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme. They supervise the final theses of students who stay at the University of Akureyri to work on projects.

The University of Akureyri has a seat on the Board of the United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme.

Research and projects

The largest single project that has been concluded is Fisheries in Iceland (Gagnaveita um sjávarútveg).

The project was completed for the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. The purpose of the project was to gather as wide-ranging information as possible in English concerning the ecology of the sea and Icelandic fisheries.

Verkefnamiðlun website

The Fisheries Science Research Institute is in cooperation with the Iceland Ocean Cluster.

Sjávarútvegsskólinn (the fisheries school)

Sjávarútvegsskólinn (the fisheries school) is intended for 14-year-old students. It is operated in June and July of each year and is part of the work training camp of the municipalities. The school spans a total of 14 hours over one week; thereof 7.5 hours consist in lectures.

The school is a collaborative project between the University of Akureyri, municipalities and fishing operators in North and East Iceland. Registrations for the school take place at municipalities and further information is provided by the Project Manager of the Fisheries Science Centre.

Municipalities that have participated in Sjávarútvegsskólinn are the following:

  • Akureyrarbær
  • Dalvíkurbyggð
  • Fjarðabyggð
  • Fljótsdalshérað
  • Norðurþing
  • Seyðisfjarðarkaupstaður
  • Vopnafjarðarhreppur

Companies that have participated in Sjávarútvegsskólinn are the following:

  • Eskja
  • Fóðurverksmiðjan Laxá
  • GPG
  • Gullberg
  • HB Grandi
  • Kælismiðjan Frost
  • Loðnuvinnslan
  • Samherji
  • Síldarvinnslan
  • Slippurinn
  • Skinney-Þinganes
  • Rafeyri
  • Raftákn

Become a friend of Sjávarútvegsskólinn on Facebook