News

We welcome Daði Tryggvason to our team as the new Project Manager and Head of DNG Jigging Reels. Daði brings extensive and practical experience from both the fishing industry and public administration, which will serve him well in this new role. He holds a BSc degree in Fisheries Science from the University of Akureyri and has worked for over two decades on a wide range of projects within the sector. This includes many years at sea, both on trawlers and jigging boats equipped with DNG jigging reels. First-hand user experience with the company’s equipment is invaluable — particularly when it comes to product development and customer service. In addition to his time at sea, Daði has worked in aquaculture and most recently as a fisheries specialist at the Directorate of Fisheries, where he was responsible for quota allocations, licensing (including ICCAT and CITES), and customer relations. We look forward to the collaboration and are confident that Daði’s experience and insight will support the continued development of DNG Jigging Reels. https://www.slippurinndng.is/faeravindur

The new R1 reel from DNG is a game-changer and by far the best I’ve used. “I previously used the 6000i reel and hesitated for a long time about whether it was worth upgrading, as I was very satisfied with the 6000i. But I decided to take the leap for this season, upgraded to the R1 generation—and I definitely don’t regret it,” says Björn Snorrason, a coastal fisherman aboard Dalborg EA 317 in Dalvík. He has been active in coastal fishing nearly since the system was introduced and, over the years, has used both older DNG models and reels from other manufacturers. The R1 is quieter—and catches better Based on his experience using four R1 reels on Dalborg during the first few weeks of this spring’s coastal fishing season, Björn believes upgrading to the R1 was a solid investment. “I immediately noticed how quiet the R1 is, which really matters when you have four reels running on the boat. But the biggest advantage is that the R1 simply catches better than the previous generation—even though those reels were also good. That’s why I say this is a smart investment that pays off quickly. The R1 pulls more smoothly and holds the fish better on the hooks. I particularly notice that even when fishing is slow and the fish aren’t biting much, there are always at least some fish coming up. It’s rare that the line comes up empty—and that really adds up in terms of daily catch weight.” “In my opinion, the design and software development behind these reels have been very successful. And for someone like me—who doesn’t consider himself an especially skilled fisherman—having reliable equipment that delivers results is crucial. I often find myself thanking the DNG reels when I manage to hit my quota during the coastal fishing season,” says Björn.

The SPG Barcelona seafood expo kicked off in grand style, with the first day concluding with great success. Representatives from Slippurinn DNG were very pleased with the strong attendance at their stand and the interest their solutions generated among visitors.

Students from the GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme, along with Hreiðar Þór Valtýsson, Associate Professor at the University of Akureyri, during a visit to Slippurinn in Akureyri.

New Handfilleting Line from DNG

Stephen Merricks, Technical Manager at Abyss AS in Kristiansund.

In December and January, Slippurinn Akureyri ehf. completed the installation of new equipment from the DNG Processing Equipment product line for two customers—one for liver processing at Hraðfrystihúsið-Gunnvör in Súðavík and the other for Arctic char processing at Samherji Fish Farming in Sandgerði. Óli Björn Ólafsson, project manager at Slippurinn Akureyri's Hafnarfjörður branch, stated that the projects went very well and reflected the company's extensive expertise in the design, production, and installation of processing equipment. Specialized Equipment for Liver Processing at HG Canned cod liver production has been operating in Súðavík for about 20 years, following a previous shrimp processing facility at the same site. Hraðfrystihúsið-Gunnvör runs the liver canning operation, and DNG Processing Equipment designed, manufactured, and installed a specialized heating bath, filter drum, heat exchangers, and temperature control system—one of the key factors in liver processing of this kind. "This project is an example of the specialized equipment in our diverse product line. We take on various projects in processing equipment manufacturing, whether for groundfish, farmed fish, shrimp, or more specialized processing such as roe and liver," said Óli Björn. The installation of the equipment in Súðavík was completed in January. "We are very proud of this project in Súðavík and thank Hraðfrystihúsið-Gunnvör for the trust they placed in us." New Trimming Line for Arctic Char Processing at Samherji Fish Farming Another specialized processing project was the installation of a new trimming line from DNG Processing Equipment at Samherji Fish Farming's Arctic char processing facility in Sandgerði, which was completed in December. This is the fourth trimming line in the facility, with the previous ones manufactured by Martak in Grindavík, the predecessor of Slippurinn Akureyri's current Hafnarfjörður branch. Óli Björn explained that the goal of this new line is to accommodate an increase in production at the facility, reaching 1,000-1,200 tons per year, while annual production has been around 3,000 tons in recent years. As is well known, Samherji Fish Farming's Arctic char processing facility in Sandgerði is one of the most advanced in the world, producing both fresh Arctic char products and individually quick-frozen vacuum-packed products. "We are very pleased with the results of the new trimming line in Sandgerði. Integrating new equipment into an existing processing facility is always a challenge, and it is crucial to use the available space efficiently. The Arctic char processing plant in Sandgerði is a high-tech facility, and with this new equipment, it is now even better equipped," said Óli Björn.

Through this partnership, Slippurinn Akureyri and Optimar will work closely to facilitate service and retrofits of vessels. Additionally, they will leverage each other’s expertise to offer a broader range of products and solutions tailored to the seafood industry. – By teaming up, we strengthen our service network and gain direct access to state-of-the-art competence, says Páll Kristjánsson, CEO of Slippurinn Akureyri, and Siggi Olason, CEO of Optimar. Reinforcing their vision and commitment This strategic partnership enables Optimar and Slippurinn Akureyri to provide more comprehensive solutions. It reinforces their vision and commitment to developing and designing high-tech processing equipment and facilitates cross-border production. – Together, we offer a seamless combination of services and products, ensuring that our customers receive the best possible support, says Olason. Slippurinn Akureyri shares this enthusiasm and looks forward to seeing the results of combining expertise and experience to build a stronger, more competitive entity. – Optimar is a recognized innovator in the seafood industry, and we are excited to work even more closely together to solve our customer’s challenges, says Kristjánsson