Seine net workshop to be held in Iceland

The Fjölbrautaskóli Sudurnesja Comprehensive College (FSS) at Keflavík in Iceland, in association with the International  School of Fishing Gear Technology, is preparing a seine net fishing workshop to be held at the college’s campus from 29th to 31st of May.
With the growing interest in this fuel-economic method of fishing, the college has invited speakers from Iceland and across Europe to share their experience and expertise in seine netting (also known as Danish seining, as this technique has its origins in Denmark).
A two-day event is being organised with a range of speakers from fishing skipper and netmakers to scientists and economists who have studied the price differences between seine caught fish and catches landed from other methods.
An additional third day is set aside for visits to companies and the possibility of a day at sea on a working vessel for those interested – quotas and weather permitting.
As well as lectures from invited speakers, there will be opportunities to meet representatives of leading seine net equipment suppliers, as well as working fishermen and other interested parties.
Lárus Thór Pálmason, the college’s senior lecturer in fishing gear technology says that rising fuel prices have driven a growing interest in seine net fishing and the college has been approached informally on several occasions to show groups of fishermen and vessel owners from other countries how seine net fishing works.
‘These visits have been very interesting for us as well,’ he says. ‘We have got to know fishermen from other countries who all have the same problems – high fuel costs.’
‘We have laid on programmes for them when they have visited, with visits to fishing gear suppliers, some gear simulation sessions in our small flume tank, and the chance to spend a day at sea with a working boat. These visits have been popular and so we decided that it would be a good idea to try and pool a lot of the information that has been gathered into a workshop.’
He says that speakers from Iceland, Norway, Denmark and other countries have been invited to share their experience of seine netting and enough have confirmed their participation to be able to confirm the event.
‘We have skippers, netmakers and other specialists ready to take part, as well as scientists from the Marine Research Institute who have worked on assessing ground impact and economics experts who have analysed costs of seine net fishing compared to other methods. It promises to be an interesting few days.’
The local authority will also host a cocktail invitation for all participants at the local museum and there are several other social events being planned alongside the workshop.

The seine net workshop is scheduled for 29th and 30th of May, with an additional day for other activities on the 31st. A registration fee of GBP100 / EUR131 is charged to cover costs. Accommodation is not included, but a list of hotels and guesthouses offering discounts to those attending can be provided.
The Fjölbrautaskóli Sudurnesja Comprehensive College is located in the town of Keflavík, not far from Iceland’s Keflavík international airport.
To register or for more information, please contact Lárus Thór Pálmason on 00 354 899 8483, or fax: 00 354 421 3107, or email: Þetta netfang er varið fyrir ruslrafpósti, þú þarft að hafa Javascript virkt til að skoða það or Fridrik G. Halldórsson on tel: 00 354 893 5494 or fax: 00 354 552 5495 email: Þetta netfang er varið fyrir ruslrafpósti, þú þarft að hafa Javascript virkt til að skoða það