The industry of fishing has evolved over time but also kept much of its tradition:
- Viking method of salting & burying --- the salting process has remained in use but more advanced forms of storage are used
- Labor intensive --- risk has been drastically reduced with the use of new technology and safety practices. However, it is still dangerous and physically demanding work.
- 20-30 years ago much of the fish was wasted after the best parts were harvested for food --- Now all parts of the fish are used for various purposes
Icelandic people have fought to protect this local industry:
- Cod Wars 1950s-1970s
- Fishing was central to the survival of Iceland as a nation --- it has always been and will always be a part of Icelandic national identity and the core of a functioning Icelandic economy
In 1826 the first Icelandic ship sailed with fish from Iceland over seas from. Icelanders
have been fishers for a long time. Long before our time men went to sea and tried to catch the fish and they had much different tools then we know today. In the old days cod was the most popular fish to eat and sell. At that time it was very hard to be a fisherman. The boats were small and the men had to row the boats with oars. Even after the boats became motorized they were open and as a result the men got cold and wet in the
wintertime.
Breidafjordur is one of the best places for fishing and has always given a lot of fresh and pure fish. This is something we can tell people who visit the area; this can be made
into a brand. Today people can go to restaurant and have a meal of almost everything that comes from the sea. After a period of time fishing conditions changed and it was a much better life at sea. Today a lot of the boats are fast trawlers and catch many tons of fish.
- Viking method of salting & burying --- the salting process has remained in use but more advanced forms of storage are used
- Labor intensive --- risk has been drastically reduced with the use of new technology and safety practices. However, it is still dangerous and physically demanding work.
- 20-30 years ago much of the fish was wasted after the best parts were harvested for food --- Now all parts of the fish are used for various purposes
Icelandic people have fought to protect this local industry:
- Cod Wars 1950s-1970s
- Fishing was central to the survival of Iceland as a nation --- it has always been and will always be a part of Icelandic national identity and the core of a functioning Icelandic economy
In 1826 the first Icelandic ship sailed with fish from Iceland over seas from. Icelanders
have been fishers for a long time. Long before our time men went to sea and tried to catch the fish and they had much different tools then we know today. In the old days cod was the most popular fish to eat and sell. At that time it was very hard to be a fisherman. The boats were small and the men had to row the boats with oars. Even after the boats became motorized they were open and as a result the men got cold and wet in the
wintertime.
Breidafjordur is one of the best places for fishing and has always given a lot of fresh and pure fish. This is something we can tell people who visit the area; this can be made
into a brand. Today people can go to restaurant and have a meal of almost everything that comes from the sea. After a period of time fishing conditions changed and it was a much better life at sea. Today a lot of the boats are fast trawlers and catch many tons of fish.