Okay, so it's been quite a while since my last post. I promise this weekend I will write about my last few weeks in India and how amazing they were, but right now I want to talk about the beautiful country I am in right now! I arrived in Iceland a few days ago and have been enjoying the incredible natural wonders surrounding me—and doing research, of course :)
Today, actually, was one of the most incredible experiences I've had all summer (which is saying a lot, because the entire summer has been unbelievable). For those who don't know yet, I am actually in Reykjavik to work, specifically to research Iceland's dried fish trade with Nigeria. It's something that has been of great interest to me since I heard President Grímsson speak at the World Food Prize Symposium in 2013, and has received international attention for the creative and sustainable measures taken to improve food security and reduce waste. This morning I visited Haustak, the company pioneering drying technology and waste reduction in the fishing industry.
Yeah, the place smelled like fish. It would actually be a bit fishy for it not to, ya know? And aside from that, it was really, really impressive! The entire process seems simple and straightforward—dry the fish, ship them to Nigeria, case closed. Clearly, it is much more complex than that, but also more complex than even I imagined. I'll walk through the basics here (photos included), and I really recommend you read through to the end!
Today, actually, was one of the most incredible experiences I've had all summer (which is saying a lot, because the entire summer has been unbelievable). For those who don't know yet, I am actually in Reykjavik to work, specifically to research Iceland's dried fish trade with Nigeria. It's something that has been of great interest to me since I heard President Grímsson speak at the World Food Prize Symposium in 2013, and has received international attention for the creative and sustainable measures taken to improve food security and reduce waste. This morning I visited Haustak, the company pioneering drying technology and waste reduction in the fishing industry.
Yeah, the place smelled like fish. It would actually be a bit fishy for it not to, ya know? And aside from that, it was really, really impressive! The entire process seems simple and straightforward—dry the fish, ship them to Nigeria, case closed. Clearly, it is much more complex than that, but also more complex than even I imagined. I'll walk through the basics here (photos included), and I really recommend you read through to the end!
One of the most impressive things is that nearly all of the nutrient content is maintained during the drying process! Because the drying takes place at relatively low temperatures (all below 28°C, or 82°F) the nutrients aren't cooked out of the fish. In the cod heads, 76% of the head is protein and the omega-3 content is 3x higher than that found in liver oil. Because the entire supply chain, from the North Atlantic to Nigeria, is complex, the final products are somewhat expensive. However, if this technology can be improved and made more accessible, then the possibilities it holds for the food insecure is immeasurable!
A primary reason Haustak is able to develop this drying technology is because of the geothermal energy available in Iceland. Now, while this is super cool as far as sustainable energy is concerned, it also makes for some really beautiful scenery—which I was very fortunate to enjoy!
A primary reason Haustak is able to develop this drying technology is because of the geothermal energy available in Iceland. Now, while this is super cool as far as sustainable energy is concerned, it also makes for some really beautiful scenery—which I was very fortunate to enjoy!
All in all, it was an incredible day! I learned so much, and also got to witness some of the most breathtaking natural phenomenas I could have imagined! After all, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." I can honestly say, today I know I lived!