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ICELAND'S Fisheries Minister is likely to be invited to open the newly refurbished Grimsby Fish Market when the £1.2million project is completed early next year, it has been revealed.
This was one of the results of the recent Grimsby and Humber Seafood Cluster Trade Mission to Reykjavik - and the warmth it created. The visit was described as "very successful" by the Trade Corridor Mission’s leader, Wynne Griffiths, who is also chairman of the Humber Seafood Institute.
The Grimsby delegation met Jon Bjarnason, Iceland's Fisheries Minister and extended an invitation to visit the new look fish market and probably carry out the opening ceremony. Details have yet to be finalised.
Steve Norton, chief executive of Grimsby Fish Merchants’ Association, said: "The visit to Iceland was worthwhile with a positive approach and mutual understanding of one another’s concerns. A workshop with Matis (Iceland's equivalent to Seafish) regarding fish quality proved to be worthwhile, their analysis of the value of fish sold in Hull and Grimsby revealed that higher prices were paid in Grimsby, further proof that the decision to consolidate auctions was necessary."
He said a meeting with Iceland's chief EU negotiator was very positive and demonstrated why Iceland is applying for membership. The conditions as agreed in the accession document are the cornerstone for membership. If these are met many of our concerns about future supply would be alleviated. He added: "The fisheries minister was receptive to our concerns especially the five per cent levy on whole fish exports to the Humber and proposed changes to weighing.
"The Minister’s offer for consultations with the industry on future weighing regulations offers an unprecedented opportunity to build mutual confidence and increase future business certainty."
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises, the company which runs the fish market, said he was very pleased with the outcome, adding: "Iceland is very aware of the strength of the Grimsby market - recent prices have been at their very best - and I am confident it will continue to send its fish to Grimsby."
More than 20 business leaders from Grimsby attended the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition. At the same time Trade Corridor Group meetings were held with The British Embassy representatives in Reykjavik, led by Ambassador Ian Whitting, and British Icelandic Chamber of Commerce to discuss a return trade mission to Grimsby & Humber to look at what export opportunities there are for companies based in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Humber to trade with Icelandic business to boost mutual economies. Wynne Griffiths said: "Their fish for our chips!"
Grimsby Institute Group also held talks with academic counter-parts about future collaboration linked to trade and the seafood, logistics and renewables sectors.
Simon Dwyer, chairman of The Trade Corridor Group said: "The visit to Iceland, the meetings with the seafood industry stakeholders and the government officials of both Iceland and UK can only bring long-term benefits to the Grimsby & Humber seafood cluster, as well as create further opportunities for other sectors and in particular, those wishing to export to Iceland in the not too distant future."
In a sign of the willingness to move plans forward, representatives of The Trade Corridor will be in London this week to meet Iceland’s UK Embassy and British Institute of Chambers of Commerce officials.
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