News

Marine Institute signs memorandum of understanding with Iceland-based Matís Ltd.
Thursday, June 11, 2015

Glenn Blackwood, vice-president of Memorial University (Marine Institute) and Dr. Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO, Matís Ltd. signing the MOU that will provide a framework for the advancement of fisheries and oceans-related education, training and research and development between Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and Iceland. The two are joined by Carey Bonnell, Head of MI's School of Fisheries and Stewart Wheeler, Canada’s Ambassador to Iceland.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed today, Thursday, June 11, between the Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Matís Ltd. will provide a framework for the advancement of fisheries and oceans-related education, training and research and development between Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and Iceland.

“This partnership will add great value to the Marine Institute and Matís, as well as the collective industries and communities represented within Canada,  and Iceland and beyond,” said Glenn Blackwood, vice-president, Memorial University (Marine Institute). “As two islands in the North Atlantic dependent on the ocean, we look forward to sharing our knowledge, experience and capability and to combining forces to further strengthen opportunities for our students, researchers and marine industries.”

The five-year agreement aims to further combine the expertise of MI and Matís to drive collaborative and creative solutions for the issues facing our seafood industries. With a goal to guide tomorrow’s blue ocean economy leaders through education and training opportunities, the MOU also aims to build a legacy in the North Atlantic for the sustainable economic development of the marine bioeconomy.

“The Atlantic is truly a shared resource for Newfoundland and Labrador and Iceland and in order to commercialize research on the marine resources we share, we need to collaborate,” said Dr. Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO, Matís Ltd. “Matís and the Marine Institute have had a fruitful collaboration for years, with a lot of impact on our seafood industries. Recent development, such as the signing of the Galway declaration offers great opportunity for increased collaboration, and we look forward to working with MI to apply our scientific expertise to support both our nations when faced with environmental, economic and social challenges, such as industry and regional development.”

The MOU will focus on increasing opportunities for applied research related to the seafood value chain. It will also allow for the exploration of student and faculty exchanges and collaborative training opportunities based on industry need. The MOU aims to strengthen the voices of Matís and MI to address blue growth economy issues and foster closer relationships with marine bioeconomy industries. Activities also include identifying opportunities to leverage support and partnerships to advance the mutual objectives of both parties and to explore the expansion of collaborative arrangements internationally by partnering on projects in the developing world.

Based in Iceland, Matís is a government owned, independent research company whose vision is to increase the value in the food and biotech industry through innovative research, development, dissemination of knowledge and consultancy, as well as to ensure the safety and quality of food and feed products.