ICE-SAR

Brim is a supporter of the search and rescue teams in Iceland. ICE-SAR is the national association for search and rescue in Iceland and one of the largest volunteer associations in Iceland. The operation aims to prevent accidents and save lives and valuables. Brim supports robust search and rescue work at sea and on land, as our seamen rely on the teams if something happens.

THE FISHERIES INDUSTRY SAFETY GROUP

The Fisheries Industry Safety Group operates within Fisheries Iceland (Samtök fyrirtækja í sjávarútvegi, SFS) with the goal of reducing the number of accidents in the sector. The group was formally established in April 2016, and Brim has a representative among them. The representatives are from the largest fisheries companies in Iceland and are all involved in working on safety issues. The first task undertaken by the group was to write a Safety Manual for fish processing plants, which is now accessible on the websites of SFS and the Herring Sector Research Fund (Rannsóknarsjóður síldarútvegsins), which supported the endeavour. The Safety Manual is a reference manual for management in fisheries companies and is intended to ensure the use of active occupational safety measures within the companies.

In the photograph, taken at SVN (Síldarvinnslan) this autumn, are (from right): Björn Halldórsson – Þorbjörn, Ragnheiður Elmarsdóttir – Loðnuvinnslan, Stefanía Inga Sigurðardóttir – FISK, Malgorzata Katrín Molenda – Brim, Hrefna Karlsdóttir – SFS, Guðjón Magnússon – Síldarvinnslan, Jóhann G. Sævarsson – Samherji, Ómar Bogason – Síldarvinnslan.

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WOMEN LEADERS GLOBAL FORUM

Brim is one of the sponsors of Women Leaders Global Forum which was held in Harpa 18–20 November 2019. Over 400 women leaders from 80 countries attended the Forum.

The photograph was taken when Brim invited a group of attendees for lunch at the Marshall Building together with women from the Association of Women in the Fisheries Industry (Samtök kvenna í sjávarútvegi).

FESTIVAL OF THE SEA

The Festival of the Sea was held for the 21st time on 1 and 2 June at Grandagarður. The festival area extended from Harpa, through the Old Harbour, out to Grandagarður and to the fish processing plant of Brim at Norðurgarður.

Brim joined forces with Faxaflóahafnir (Associated Icelandic Ports) and Sjómannadagsráð (Reykjavík Seamen’s Day Committee) to hold the 2019 Festival of the Sea. These three parties are the main supporters of the Festival.

The festival consists of the Harbour Day and the Seamen’s Day and is held for the purpose of providing families with the opportunity to come to the harbour area in Reykjavík and learn about harbour operations, vessel operation and the work of seamen. Music, entertainment and restaurants in the area tempt guests and ramblers with a variety of goodies. The old harbour seethes with life during this weekend.

CHARITABLE CAUSES

Brim supports causes in its home communities which consist of Reykjavík, Akranes and Vopnafjörður. The grants are split into several categories but are all related to the community to which they are allocated in some manner. Brim has supported a number of NGOs such as the Society for Assistance to Mothers (Mæðrastyrksnefnd), both in Reykjavík and in Akranes, Sjálfsbjörg, Icelandic Church Aid (Hjálparstarf kirkjunnar) and Samhjálp, to mention a few.

VISITS AND PRESENTATIONS

In 2019, Brim became aware of considerable community interest in its operations, not least as regards its environmental issues. The representatives of numerous companies payed Brim a visit and requested to know about the manner in which the company sorts its waste. A networking meeting was held with Festa, the Centre for Social Responsibility. In addition, there were numerous visits from the representative of foreign countries and associations.

There were, moreover, visits by students from both Icelandic and foreign universities. Many of the students also undertook projects in co-operation with Brim.

The photograph is from the Festa networking meeting which was held in the Marshall building.

THE MARSHALL BUILDING (MARSHALLHÚSIÐ)

Brim is the owner of the Marshall Building, which is located on the premises of the company in Reykjavík. The Marshall Building is a new venue for the arts, standing by the Old Harbour in Reykjavík. The building was built in 1948 as a fish meal factory. It currently houses the Living Art Museum, Kling & Bang, the Studio of Ólafur Elíasson and workshop and the restaurant La Primavera Ristorante. The idea for the new and changed role for the Marshall Building can be traced to the architects of Kurtogpi, Ásmundur Hrafn Sturluson and Steinþór Kári Kárason. The firm was responsible for all the architectural work regarding the changes. The project was formally launched on 19 February 2016 when the agreement was signed and work began. The Marshall Building, a spectacular centre for the arts, was formally opened on 18 March 2017.

ÞÚFA

In 2013, Brim, in collaboration with the Federation of Icelandic Artists and Faxaflóahafnir (Associated Icelandic Ports), held a competition for new artwork to decorate the area surrounding Ísbjörninn, the new cold storage facility that the company built in the same year. The winner was Þúfa, a piece by artist Ólöf Nordal. Those who walk up to the top enjoy one of the most impressive views of Reykjavík available. Þúfa was inaugurated at a ceremony on 21 December 2013 and has already become a well-known landmark in Reykjavík.

DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE WETFISH TRAWLER ÁSBJÖRN

A documentary was filmed in 2017 about the wetfish trawler Ásbjörn, which has now been replaced by Engey. Ásbjörn was built in 1978 and has proved to be an excellent vessel. Despite being among the smallest vessels in Brim’s fleet, Ásbjörn was more often than not among the vessels that brought home the largest catches and was, in fact, the vessel to bring home the largest catch in Iceland thirteen times, most recently in 2014. Ásbjörn unloaded approximately 227 thousand tonnes in 1,542 unloads, with the catch value being around ISK 40bn at present value.
Here you can see the full-length documentary about Ásbjörn.

THE SEAFOOD CONFERENCE ICELAND

Brim has been one of the main sponsors of the Seafood Conference Iceland in recent years. The goal is to gather in a single place a cross-section of the industry in order to further promote progress and other efforts. The conference is where people meet and network, strengthening connections and collaboration in the industry. The conference covers many important topics in the fishing industry, in the hope that it may inspire its guests to try out new ideas and do good work.

POLITICAL PARTIES

During the year, Brim supported the political parties that have members in the parliament and who applied for grants.

THE ÁSA GUÐMUNDSDÓTTIR WRIGHT AWARD FUND

Awards from the Ása Guðmundsdóttir Wright Award Fund are granted to an Icelandic scientist who has achieved exceptional success in his/her speciality in science or in the academic world and has shared his knowledge for the benefit of Icelandic society. The founder of the Fund was Ms Ása Guðmundsdóttir Wright, who gave the Icelandic Science Association (Vísindafélag Íslendinga) a donation on its fiftieth anniversary on 1 December 1968. Brim is a supporter of the Fund and enables the Fund to annually allocate one of the biggest awards that go to scientists in Iceland. The photograph shows the grant winner Vilmundur Guðnason, chief physician of Hjartavernd (Icelandic Heart Association) and professor in the medical department of Háskóli Íslands, together with Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, and Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of Háskóli Íslands (University of Iceland).

photo / Jón Örn Guðbjartsson

SUPPORT FOR THE LECTURES OF ÞORGRÍMUR ÞRÁINSSON IN ICELANDIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Brim supports Þorgrímur Þráinsson, author, to hold his lecture “Verum ástfangin af lífinu” (Let’s fall in love with life) in all Icelandic primary schools.

Þorgrímur himself mentions the support on his Facebook page: “We all have all kinds of differences and are grateful for this being true. Some have more understanding of social responsibility than others, and that is how it will always be. The reason why I can visit all primary schools in Iceland each and every year – for the past ten years – and hold my lecture Verum ástfangin af lífinu for students attending grade 10 is that the directors/managers of certain companies fulfil their social responsibilities. And trust me. They have granted me support to be able to offer this lecture to students – free of charge for the schools.”

Brim is one of two supporters of Þorgrímur.