Matorka 2023 Impact Report

March 15, 2024

Navigating Responsible Practices

In the ever-evolving landscape of aquaculture, sustainability stands as the compass guiding our journey towards responsible practices and environmental stewardship. This impact report serves to communicate our commitment to transparency, best practices, performance, respect and the pursuit of a harmonious balance between ecological vitality and aquaculture excellence.

We recognise the impact our industry can have on the delicate balance of marine life. In this report, we share our sustainability initiatives and the measures taken to ensure the health and well-being of the environments we operate within.

Embarking on a path directed by scientific precision, ethical considerations, and community engagement, this report articulates our efforts to not only meet industry standards but to continually surpass them. From ecosystem-friendly farming practices to responsible feed formulations, we navigate our commitment to sustainable aquaculture, setting a course for a future where our operations continue to thrive in tandem with the health of the planet. Above all, we look at nature, to guide us and support us in producing the world’s finest Arctic char.

Sustainability is not just a buzzword

"Even though sustainability has become a term diluted by overuse, this report is issued to show the impact of our operations and that we are, based on facts, a sustainable business."

Christo du Plessis

We have faced and overcame extraordinary challenges during 2023, not least due to a major seismic event in November and subsequent volcanic eruptions in the area. With our top-notch teams, we have reacted well to these events to ensure that we minimize the impact on our fish and operations and still ended 2023 with a record level of production and sales of Arctic char. We look forward to another material step-up in 2024 production despite suffering some infrastructure damage.

"Matorka continues to be a leading example for responsible land-based farming of fish. We achieve this by utilising the unique advantages that Iceland has to offer, harnessing technology and adding human ingenuity and perseverance into the mix."

Read the full Impact report here

A deeper dive into the sustainability sea

The Impact report takes a look at the data and facts accumulated over the past decade to develop the 2023 impacts on the following pillars:

The People – [ Fólk ]
The Fish – [ Fiskurinn ]
The Water – [Vatnið ] and The Land – [Landið ]

The report also provides valuable information on Governance, including business area, key business, management principles, reporting, compliance, business continuity and resilience operating environment and outlook.

What are some key sustainability highlights?

100 % of our operation is operated on renewable electricity.
2.7 kg CO2e / kg fish produced.
Forage Fish Dependency Ratio of 0.10.
Fully compliant with global leading certification schemes (ASC & Global GAP) and rated best choice by the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch.
No commercial water is used for all production activities.

View the 2023 Impact Report

A look back at 2023

The year 2023 at Matorka

"I would like to thank all the people who have been involved in creating this report. Compiling a report like this is only possible with the help and input of good teamwork. I am proud to showcase Matorka's sustainability efforts for the past decade, and look forward to an even better future" - Cees-Jan Bastiaansen, Chief Sustainability Officer.