Mapping of the Ocean Cluster in Iceland
The mapping of the Iceland Ocean Cluster represents the first comprehensive and broad picture of ocean-related industries and services, their magnitude, threats and opportunities, according to Thor Sigfusson, Managing Director of the Iceland Ocean Cluster (Sjavarklasinn).
The objective of the Iceland Ocean Cluster project is to map the ocean cluster in Iceland. Evaluate economic activities directly related to the ocean around Iceland and observe strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. The activities assosiated with the Iceland Ocean Cluster include the seafood industry the fishing sector, aquaculture production, at sea and onshore, seafood processing, seafood technology and marine engineering, research and development, marketing and service etc.
The Cluster has begun to map a network of Icelandic firms to foster cooperation among seafood and other ocean-related industries in the country. “Published in Icelandic under the title Sjávarklasinn, the mapping campaign will provide a profile of Iceland’s ocean economy and lay the groundwork for strategic planning in 2012 upon which future changes could be measured and analyzed,” Thor Sigfusson said.
Iceland’s ocean territories and jurisdiction extend to 0.76 million square kilometers and encompass a wealth of natural resources. The Icelandic economy is one of the most seafood dependent economies in the world, and the country has the highest per capita sea catch in the world. In recent years annual catches have amounted to about 1.3 million metric tons, some 1.5-2% of the global marine harvest. About 40% of the value of the country’s export of goods have been generated by seafood products.
The Iceland Ocean Cluster was presented at a conference held at Marel headquarters in Iceland on Nov. 17, 2011. The following is a summary of major points in the report:
- Established Ocean Industries represent over 90% of the turnover in the Cluster. These are three main sectors: fisheries and fish processing, seafood marketing and distribution, and shipping and maritime transport - with an estimated turnover of over USD 4 billion.
- Emerging Ocean Industries represent less than 10% of the turnover. These are ocean tourism, ocean biotechnology, high technology for fishing and fish processing, and aquaculture. According to global market forecasts these industries have high potential to increase their share in the total turnover of the Iceland Ocean Cluster.
- Over 25,000 people are directly and indirectly employed in the Iceland Ocean Cluster.
- Fisheries and fish processing, seafood marketing and distribution, and shipping and maritime transport are leading industries in the Iceland Ocean Cluster.
- Aquaculture is increasing in Iceland and it is estimated that aquaculture will expand fivefold in volume in the next 5 to 7 years.
- In the Iceland Ocean Cluster, 70 high tech firms were identified which all provide the global seafood and fisheries market with various technology, from small firms with niche products to the some of the largest firms in the global industry, such as Marel and Hampiðjan.
- Various Icelandic services in ocean-related affairs have shown an increasing global expansion. These include financial services and engineering, and general consulting. This is another area of the Cluster which may expand in the years to come.
For more information on the Ocean Cluster and latest news, go to Sjavarklasinn.is. For a map of the Ocean Cluster in English click here.