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On 12 March 2026, the winners of the 2026 IceFish Bursary Awards were announced at the Iceland Ocean Cluster Reykjavik. The Awards are given by the organisers of the Icelandic Fisheries & Aquaculture exhibition and conference, (IceFish) which takes place from 22-24 September 2026.
They represent the event’s commitment to, and investment in the future of the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries. The students receive a ISK 300,000 bursary towards their studies. Today the first tranche of the bursary, and a commemorative certificate were presented and the second half of the award will be made in September at the prestigious IceFish Awards Ceremony which will take place on the first evening of IceFish, Tuesday 22 September.
The three worthy recipients are all students at the Icelandic College of Fisheries. They are Katarzyna Staszek, Ewa Jaros and Malgorzata Barbara Sworowska. All three are studying quality management at the College and working in the commercial fishing industry. Katarzyna at Brim in Reykjavik; Ewa at Jakob Valgeir in Bolungarvik and Malgorzata at Nýfisk Sandgerdi, Suðurnesjabær..
Both Katarzyna and Malgorzata attended the presentation. The Icelandic weather stepped in to prevent Ewa from attending in person, but she will receive her certificate from the Headmaster at the College.
The Bursary applications were assessed by a specialist judging panel from the industry, including Klemenz Sæmundsson, Headmaster of the Icelandic College of Fisheries; Hrefna Karlsdóttir, Senior adviser at Fisheries Iceland; Kjartan Sveinsson, Chairman, National Association of Small Boat Owners; and Bjarni Jonsson, representative of IceFish.
Sally Wattam, Events Director, Mercator Media, organiser of IceFish commented:
“I am delighted to present these bursary awards today. As the organisers of IceFish we work hard to support commercial fishing and aquaculture in Iceland, adapting and expanding IceFish as the sectors evolve and develop to meet current demands. We are also pleased to support the communities who work in the industries, and particularly the next generation as they begin their careers and look to shape the future. I wish the winners of the bursaries the best of luck in their work and studies. We all look forward to following their progress in the thriving Icelandic fishing and aquaculture sectors.”
Klemenz Sæmundsson, Headmaster of the Icelandic College of Fisheries said, “The Bursary Awards are very good for us. It helps both the students and the school to get this recognition. Education is so important for the industry, and this presentation shows that IceFish and the industry cares, and that’s so valuable for us.”
Image shows:
Klemenz Sæmundsson, Headmaster of the Icelandic College of Fisheries; Ásdís Vilborg Pálsdóttir, Assistant Master: Katarzyna Staszek, Student; Malgorzata Barbara Sworowska, Student; Sally Wattam, Events Director, IceFish; Tracey Clarke, Events Manager, IceFish,; Monika Maria Figlarska, Project manager and interpreter, Icelandic College of Fisheries; Hrefna Karlsdóttir, Senior adviser at Fisheries Iceland; Thordis Daníelsdóttir, Office Manager, Icelandic College of Fisheries; Bjarni Jonsson, representative of IceFish.
