IceFish Awards celebrate great ideas across the industry
September 22, 2026By Press PR
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One of the most anticipated highlights of IceFish 2026 took place last night with a celebration of innovation, new developments and achievement across the aquaculture and fishery industries.
The 10th IceFish Awards – held in the Reykjavik’s impressive Smárinn-Fífan Halls – was attended by Iceland's Minister of Industries, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, who had earlier formally opened the Icelandic Fisheries & Aquaculture Exhibition & Conference in Kópavogur. Also welcomed to the event was Keizo Takewaka, the Japanese Ambassador to Iceland.
For the first time at the ceremony, the Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded jointly to Örn Pálsson and Arthur Bogason in recognition of their long-standing contribution for their contribution to the Icelandic fishing industry for decades.To applause from the audience the award was presented by Hjörtur Erlendsson, CEO of Hampidjan, the global fishing gear and rope manufacturer.
In a second memorable moment at the ceremony, the Outstanding Icelandic Skipper Award was awarded to Captain Theódór Elvar Haraldsson recognising his and his crew's 'outstanding response in the face of grave maritime danger' following an explosion and fire in the engine room of their Neskaupsstaður-based pelagic vessel Barði after leaving the Faroe Islands in June.
Earlier, a series of Innovation Awards in the Fishing, Processing, Aquaculture and Whole Fish Utilisation categories respectively went to Momoi Fishing Net MFG. Co. for their Ecoloop Project, JBT Marel's Evi Salmon Gutting Machine, Hampidjan's BioSeize system, and the 100% Great Lakes Fish Initiative, with Honourable Mentions awarded to Ration for RationFEED in the Innovation in Aquaculture category and Havdis for Unlocking the Healing Power of Atlantic Cod Milt in the Innovation in Whole Fish Utilisation category.
Also recognised was the Best New Product Launched at IceFish Award which went to the Mikra Sea Urchin Saw, and the award for Best New Start-up going to GreenFish for its data-driven fish forecasting technology.
