The fact that Fiskey rank foremost in their field in the world, is largely based on advanced research and development programmes from the very beginning. The companies have undertaken a large number of research and development programmes in the past years and these have led to improved results in every area of operation. Spawning fish During the first years of Fiskey, research was done into the relationship between the spawning of halibut and the duration of light. As a result of this research, three separate spawning groups were formed which ensure a supply of roe during three seasons of the year. During the past years there has been extensive research into the quality of halibut roe and how roe quality relates to the quality of feed, for example in co-operation with research institutes in Norway. Feed research The feed of halibut larvae consists of cultivated feed animals, saltwater shrimp as is commonly done with the larvae of many other species of sea fish. It was soon discovered that the nutritional content of saltwater shrimp in its natural state was not well suited to halibut larvae. Consequently, attempts were made to improve its nutritional content. (enriching). By carrying out tests it was attempted to enrich the saltwater shrimp with various types of feed mix which had been found suitable for the larvae of warm sea fish like seabass and seabream, but without success. It was discovered that a special feed mix would have to be developed for halibut. In 1993 research projects were launched, with financial support from the Icelandic Research Council (RANNÍS) which aimed at developing a new feed mix for saltwater shrimp which was suitable for halibut and perhaps other cold sea fish. After years of research and development, a feed mix was developed which began to show improved results in 1996. The development of this feed mix is an important reason for Fiskey's position today. Research into microbes Fiskey has for the past few years enjoyed successful co-operation with The Icelandic Fisheries Laboratories. A three year project which was sponsored by the Icelandic Research Council (RANNÍS) was completed in 2000. Then, thorough research was carried out in relation to the microbe flora which exists in the feeding environment of the halibut larvae and on the basis of those results the company has developed and improved the feeding process. As a continuation of this project a financial grant was applied for in order to work on another project which is to some extent based on the conclusions of the former project. The technology fund of RANNÍS granted the project the highest amount received by one applicant in 2001, or ISK 12 m, for a research project of two years' duration. The grant is paid to The Icelandic Fisheries Laboratories. The aim of the project is to map in further detail the microbe flora in relation to halibut feeding, to discover where microbes enter the feeding process and how organic stress in the feeding process can be reduced. An important aspect of the project involves testing the use of a new inorganic material instead of living algae in the primary feeding of halibut larvae. The first results indicate that this material tends to reduce the number of bacteria in the feeding environment and, at the same time, brings considerable benefits by saving labour and expenses as well as reducing risks in the feeding process. Fiskey has already made use of the conclusions from this project and has significantly reduced the cultivation and use of algae. In this project, also, the effect of altered composition of the microbe flora in the tanks will be examined by using selected types of bacteria to impede the growth of undesirable bacteria in the tanks. Research into the vaccination of juveniles Fiskey is working with Marin Harvest Rogaland and other institutes in Norway in the area of research into the immunisation of halibut juveniles. The project began in October 2001 and has now been completed. Results are being assembled and a report on the project is being compiled. Fiskey's contribution to this project was 1,500 halibut juveniles. Basic research into the biophysics and biology of halibut Fiskey participated in an extensive international project during the years 1998-2000 which received financial support from the European Union and dealt with the effect of hormone control on the quality of halibut larvae. Currently a new project has begun in co-operation with universities in Gothenburg Bergen, Cardiff og Algarve. The project received a grant in January 2002 to the total amount of approximately ISK 100.0 m, of which Fiskey's portion is about ISK 7.0 m. This research will aim at discovering which control systems and hormones participate in the metamorphosis of the halibut and which alterations in these systems cause a poor metamorphosis. It will also be studied how the same factors are affected by adding certain nutritional elements to the feed mix on which the saltwater shrimp thrives. This project is expected to take three years. Research into the feed quality of farmed halibut Fiskey and The Icelandic Fisheries Laboratories received a grant of ISK 3.0 m at the end of 2001 from a fund that relates to the feeding of sea animals to carry out research into feed quality and different feeding techniques. The grant is paid to The Icelandic Fisheries Laboratories . Farmed halibut will be fed with different types of feed in different ways (i.e. the number of feeding sessions varies from one week to another) and the effect of this will be examined with reference to the quality of the farmed halibut, e.g. fat content, texture, taste etc. Genetic improvement project There exists an agreement with Stofnfiskur relating to the genetic improvement of farmed halibut, focusing mainly on the growth rate of the halibut and reducing the incidence of early maturing males. Experimental feeding of halibut for human consumption In 2002 Fiskey and Silfurstjarnan hf. entered into a contract of co-operation with regard to the experimental feeding of halibut for human consumption. According to the contract, Fiskey supplies halibut juveniles and Silfurstjarnan provides accommodation and facilities as well as paying the cost of feeding the fish. Co-operative project with regard to the production of cod juveniles Fiskey, Stofnfiskur, Þorskur á Þurru Landi and the Marine Research Institute entered into a contract of co-operation with regard to cod farming 16 January 2003. The core of the operation will be the production of juveniles, which will, among other things, be based on the specialist knowledge of Fiskey and the Marine Research Institute in the production of juveniles and Stofnfiskur's expertise in relation to the reproduction of fish and the genetics of fish stocks. A special company, IceCod ehf, has been established in relation to this operation.