Operating in a system of resource management where the aim is sustainable fishing, Samherji, founded in 1983, is a leading seafood company in Iceland. Outside Iceland, Samherji has or takes part in operations in Germany, Poland, U.K., the Faroe Islands, Africa, Canada, France, Spain and Portugal.
Samherji is a vertically integrated seafood company, controlling a significant volume of fishing quota, operating a powerful fleet of fishing vessels; freezer and fresh fish trawlers, as well as multi purpose vessels, white fish factories and fish farming. Samherji also runs extensive sales and marketing operations which are coordinated at the company´s head office.
Samherji Ltd. is one of the largest companies in the Icelandic fish industry. The company engages in operating freezer trawlers, purse seiners as well as land based factories in Iceland for white fish and farmed fish. Samherji is vertically integrated and exports its own production under the "Ice Fresh Seafood" brand. The turnover of Samherji is almost equally divided between fishing and processing. Samherji holds shares in several Icelandic Companies in the seafood industry.
Samherji has participated in the fishing industry of other countries since 1994, individually or in cooperation with others. Overseas operations of the Samherji group are around 55% of the total turnover with Samherji´s ownership of shares in several companies.
The strategy of Samherji hf. is:
To be in a leading position in fishing, processing and marketing seafood and thus to be in control of as large a portion as possible of the company’s value-added chain.
To run a strong company which earns a profit for its owners and provides its employees with an interesting working environment.
Samherji’s success is primarily based on the fact that as a food producer the company itself takes care of the entire process from the catch to the market. Samherji hf. employs qualified and enterprising personnel and management, has a powerful fleet, large fishing quotas and highly advanced onshore plants. Equipped in this manner, the company aims at a continuing leading position in the fishing industry, both in Iceland and at international level.
Samherji is involved in all stages of the value chain from fishing, farming and processing to export and sales.
The strong position of Samherji together with knowledge, experience and strong quota ownership in all species ensures that the company can minimize risks and ensure stability. All Samherji produce is sourced from sustainable fisheries, resulting in MSC approval alongside the MSC chain og custody accreditation.
ABOUT SAMHERJI´S FISHFARMING
Responsible Land-based Farming
Sustainability
100% Traceability
Green Renewable Energy
Reared in Crystal Clear Water
Low Carbon Footprint
No Genetic Modifications
No Growth Hormones or Antibiotics
Excellent Nutritional Value
Superior Quality and Taste
Samherji’s aquaculture is comprised of most aspects of fish farming, i.e. hatching, juvenile production, the on-growing of marketable fish, harvesting, packaging and marketing of the products.
The various fish farming operations are situated around Iceland. Samherji operates one broodstock farm, one hatchery, three nurseries and tree ongrowing farms. The company also operates two processing plants, one in Öxarfjordur on the east coast and the other in Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula. All of the farms are land-based and use crystal clear geothermal water, fresh or brackish. The water has been naturally filtered through layers of lava and is pumped up from boreholes on site. In the year 2014 all of Samherji´s farm operations were merged into one company under the name „Íslandsbleikja ltd.“. In the year 2018 the name of the company was changed from Íslandsbleikja ltd to “Samherji fiskeldi ltd” The farms have all been audited and certified by IMO for Whole Foods Market in USA (since 2009).
FISHING OPERATIONS
Samherji hf. operates a large fleet of trawlers and ships in Iceland and the vessels of Samherji are usually among those of highest total catch. They fish within and outside Icelandic territorial waters, groundfish and pelagic species.
The composition of the fishing fleet changes to some extent from one year to another as there is strong emphasis on technical development and economy of the operation as well as making a good and safe working environment for the employees.
All the vessels operated in the Samherji group fish under the rules of the local authorities i.e.Common Fishery Policy (CFP), with the aim of sustainable and responsible utilisation of the marine resources, in addition to adhering to strict standards for product quality and product handling.