Iceland Minister allows more time over aquaculture reform plan

ICELAND’S Fisheries and Food Minister Svandís Svavarsdóttir has reacted to criticism that she has not given the country’s salmon farming industry enough time to study proposals in  the new aquaculture  bill. Originally she had said she wanted comments by January 3rd but has now extended the deadline by just seven days – until January 10th. The…

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Björk’s new song will help to fight salmon farming

Björk, Iceland’s best known international pop star, has continued her campaign against salmon farming in her country by dedicating her latest song to the cause. Working once again with the Spanish singer Rosalia, she said all the proceeds would go towards the fight against fish farming and open pen farming in particular. Björk has accused…

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Arctic Fish opens new slaughterhouse

Arctic Fish’s new slaughterhouse in the north-west of Iceland opened last week in a ceremony watched by a crowd of more than 500 people. The Mayor of Bolungarvik, Jón Páll Hreinsson described the facility which is based near Drimla as “world-class”. He told the regional website bb.is it was one of the biggest investments in business…

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Marel rejects US takeover attempt

Icelandic seafood and food equipment manufacturer Marel has rejected takeover overtures from the US business John Bean Technologies (JBT). The Chicago-based company had offered to buy Marel for around US $2.6 billion (about £2bn) – or around $3.40 per share (£2.68). The Marel board has not ruled out accepting a better offer in future, however.…

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Icelandic salmon company makes two new key appointments

Icelandic salmon farmer Arctic Fish has made two new key appointments. The Mowi-owned company has named John Gunnar Grindskar as its new Chief Operating Officer and Baldur Smári Einarsson as its new Financial Director. John Grindskar, who joins from Mowi in Norway, takes up his post in the next few days, while Baldur Einarson, who has been…

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Arnarlax owner faces high lice bill

A recent serious salmon lice infestation could cost the Icelandic Salmon company (also known as Arnarlax) up to £5m, the business has reported. Last month Icelandic Salmon decided to take out significant volumes of fish from Tálknafjörður in the Westfjords region of Iceland. Icelandic Salmon, which is owned by Norway’s SalMar, said: “This will have…

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Volcano crisis: fish farmer battles to save business

Fish farming and fishing companies around the beleaguered town of Grindavik are racing to save what they can of their businesses from being engulfed by an expected volcanic eruption. The latest reports suggest that the port could be lost for good, with problems likely to remain for years. Earthquakes in the locality have already caused…

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RAS firms projects close to volcanic eruption threat area

At least three Icelandic fish farming companies will be keeping a watchful eye on the south west of the country today where the risk of a major volcanic eruption loomed large at the weekend. The harbour town of Grindavik saw the evacuation of its 3,500 inhabitants on Saturday, after the government declared a state of…

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€100m growth related loan facility secured for Arnarlax

Icelandic Salmon has successfully secured a sustainably linked €100m (£87m) bank facility through its subsidiary Arnarlax. Chief financial officer Jónas Heiðar Birgisson said the facility will support the company’s growth strategy and enhance operational flexibility. It is also aimed at refinancing existing loans. The arrangement was carried out in collaboration with DNB, Danske Bank, and…

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Lice infestation forces Iceland slaughter

Thousands of salmon in western Iceland have been prematurely slaughtered due to high lice numbers. The worst hit area is around Tálknafjördur in the southern Westfjord region. MAST, the Icelandic Veterinary Institute, reported two weeks ago that lice infestation in the area had increased to unprecedented levels and ordered special measures to be taken. Iceland’s main…

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