The year 2024 was a challenging year for the Directorate of Fisheries. At the beginning of the year, the Director general of the Directorate of Fisheries, Ögmundur Knútsson, resigned with short notice and undersigned then managed the agency as Deputy Director of the Directorate of Fisheries until a new Director was appointed on the 1st of June after a several-month application process. This year is therefore the first year that the undersigned has managed the agency.

Early in April, mold was detected in the headquarters of the Directorate of Fisheries in Akureyri and the premises had to be closed as it was considered a health hazard. Our Staff had to work from home until temporary accommodation were found. At the temporary premises the staff had to sit quite closely together and share offices until it was possible to move back in early November, although construction was still underway. It is safe to say that the uncertainty of the hiring period, the closure of the headquarters and the move to half-finished premises have tested the staff. But the staff of the Directorate of Fisheries are unique and with a concerted effort, it was possible to maintain the joy in their work and carry out the agency's tasks with distinction. Thanks are due to the staff for their perseverance, resourcefulness and cohesion in difficult circumstances.

In May 2023, the Parliament requested that the Icelandic National Audit Office conduct an administrative audit of the allocation of regional quota. It was requested that a report on the matter should, among other things, highlight how the implementation was carried out, whether it was consistent with good administrative practices, and more. The Icelandic National Audit Office submitted a report to the Parliament in June 2024. The report states the positive conclusion that despite the shortcomings in the system, the implementation itself, that is, the administration of the Directorate of Fisheries, was on a normal course in terms of administration. The requirements for allocation have been followed, instructions and electronic services have made progress, and equality has been ensured. The Icelandic National Audit Office made suggestions to the Directorate of Fisheries to better document and clarify procedures, as well as the need to establish a system for internal audits or internal review of relevant processes. The Directorate of Fisheries accepts the suggestions and is working to improve processes and establish internal audits or internal review of work processes.

In the autumn of 2024, the majority of staff were involved in policy development work with the aim to define the Directorate of Fisheries' strategy for the coming years. Emphasis will be placed on strengthening the organisation's core activities and its statutory role, increasing efficiency and effectiveness, as well as improving the utilisation of resources, capital and human resources. There are four policy focuses. Firstly, targeted technologicalization - which supports the sustainable utilisation of oceans and waters, along with excellent service through increased automation, data-driven decisions and increased efficiency. Secondly, human resources and culture - where the Directorate of Fisheries is a desirable and excellent workplace where expert knowledge, lifelong learning and employee satisfaction are at the forefront. Thirdly, the voice of the Directorate of Fisheries - where the Directorate of Fisheries promotes the sustainable utilisation of oceans and water resources through robust information dissemination and active collaboration with stakeholders, which increases awareness and marine literacy in the society. And fourthly, efficiency – As the Directorate of Fisheries works systematically towards increased efficiency in its operations through continuous improvements, clear roles and objectives at all levels of the organization.

The Directorate of Fisheries' made changes to their office locations during the year. In recent years, the Directorate of Fisheries has had offices in six locations in the country. Headquarters in Akureyri, as well as offices in Hafnarfjörður, Stykkishólmur, Ísafjörður, Vestmannaeyjar and Höfn in Hornafjörður. At the end of November, the office in Höfn in Hornafjörður was closed. The employee situated in Höfn was offered continued employment in a position without location. A new location is planned to be opened in Neskaupstaður in 2025. It is a part of the operational optimization that the location of the office in East Iceland is as close as possible to the regions where a large part of the pelagic catch is landed.

As in recent years, the Directorate of Fisheries is rapidly moving forward in digital development and increased automation through the use of technological solutions and development of older and new computer systems. During the year, a new transfer system was put into use that has proven to be very successful, as well as a catch registration system (GAFL), and preparations for a new VOR system, submission of weighing and processing reports, and a monitoring system were well advanced by the end of the year. This development has led to increased efficiency and is an important factor in improving the agency's services and speeding up the processing of cases.

The Directorate of Fisheries is always looking for new ways and technical solutions for monitoring. During the year, a trial project on electronic monitoring/camera monitoring on board larger vessels was carried out in good collaboration with two of the country's largest fishing companies. The project aimed to examine the functionality of the equipment and whether it would be realistic to use cameras for monitoring on board fishing vessels. The results of the project are promising and in 2025 the aim is to continue working on the project and examine, among other things, the use of artificial intelligence and other technical solutions for reviewing the footage generated during such monitoring.

The Directorate of Fisheries' monitoring, data collection and administration are essential factors in ensuring that Icelandic seafood products have a smooth path into the most valuable seafood markets in the world. Good cooperation between the Ministry of Industries, the Directorate of Fisheries, other institutions and stakeholders in the sector on the development of the agency's supervision and services is a key factor in ensuring that the Icelandic fisheries sector remains a leader in the sector and that Icelandic seafood products continue to be recognized as an excellent product from sustainable fishing.

Elín Björg Ragnarsdóttir.
Director general