The Fishing Technology students visited both the longline baiters and 3X Technology.

The baiters are responsible for baiting and re-baiting longlines, where one bucket contains 500 hooks, spaced about one metre apart. It takes the baiters about an hour a bucket, and so they are able to get through quite a lot of line in an eight-hour day! The types of bait being used are saury, squid, sandeel, and mackerel, and are imported, often from Asia. After the lines are baited, they are placed in the freezer, awaiting transport to the boats. Right now, they service one boat, the Kristin-IS, owned by Sjávareldi Ehf, and Saevar is the one responsible for the baiting. In winter months, there are two boats being serviced, with both Gummi and Saevar baiting.

3X Technology is a food-systems equipment and technology producer, based here in Ísafjörður, and was founded by three locals in 1994. The company has grown rapidly, and now services international markets. 3X is responsible for the both the design and production of all their products. They service the aquaculture and fishing processing industries; in fact, all the processing equipment we saw during our Kampi company visit was from 3X! A special thanks to Karl Ásgeirsson for showing us around the entire factory.

Thank-you to our instructor, Einar Hreinsson, for organizing these outings! (chelsea boaler/jennifer smith)