There are three pillars, fairly equal in size in the Icelandic economy. Tourism where tourists enjoy Icelandic nature, and eat Icelandic food, lamb and vegetables and fish. Then the big industry where green energy is sold for aluminum processing, but there are three large aluminum plants in the country. Last of the big three is the fishing industry, which has been the backbone of habitability here, not just now, but over the years, the centuries. Creates employment and income. To catch fish in Icelandic territorial waters, you need a quota. In accordance with the laws of Parliament on the management of fisheries. No one can have a larger quota than twelve percent of the total quota to ensure balance, equality of this resource, which is of course not endless. Hence the quota system. We catch about a million tons of fish a year, which generates close to 15 billion in export earnings. The largest fishing industry company in Iceland is Brim in Reykjavík with a 10.44% share. Next is Ísfélagið in Vestmannaeyjar with a 7.0% share, followed by Samherji from Akureyri / Dalvík with 6.93%. Fisk in Sauðárkrók is in fourth place with 6.14%, followed by Þorbjörn in Grindavík with a 5.33% share. In the next places come companies from Höfn in Hornafjörður, Grindavík (again), Vestmannaeyjar, Neskaupstaður, and then Nesfiskur from Garður / Sandgerði / Hvammstangi. Companies that are located all around the country.
Photographs & text: Páll Stefánsson
Iceland 11/12/2023 – A7R IV : FE 1.8/20mm G, FE 1.8/135mm GM, FE 1.2/50mm GM
