What do a hippo and a fish have in common? They come in small sizes! Miniaturisation is when animals evolve to be smaller over time. This often happens on islands or in places where populations are cut off from others. Scientists still don’t fully understand why this happens. Dr. Kalina Kapralova and other researchers […]
Inspired by Peter Monaghan of Inis Escargot, Icelandic farmers are exploring snail farming as a sustainable opportunity. Using surplus geothermal heat, they could transform unused barns into low-impact farms, diversify rural incomes, and turn an unlikely creature into a valuable new industry in Iceland.
Last year we introduced you to Sadie Ainsworth, her favourite fish (Westslope cutthroat trout), and her journey from growing up in Canada with a supercool hello kitty phone to studying her master’s in the Icelandic Westfjords. Back then, Sadie had just started her thesis looking at salmon in Iceland (https://icefishresearch.com/saidie-ainsworth-from-hello-kitty-to-iceland/). A lot has happened since
Writing a master’s thesis in Iceland – Sadie’s experie Read More »
As I’m writing this, it is the last week of my five and a half weeks stay at the Benedikt Hallgrímson lab (https://hallgrimssonlab.ca/) at the University of Calgary in Alberta Canada. They specialize in genetic morphometric analysis exploring complex traits in zebrafish, mice, and humans. However, I’m here to micro-CT scan some Arctic charrs. Maybe
Let’s micro-CT scan some fish heads Read More »
Last week we shared ICE Fish research’s first anniversary. 1 year of sharing exciting fish research & fun facts with you, diving deeper into the person “behind” the scientist, & coming up with many more ideas for this science communication platform. A lot can happen in one year. But what can one year mean
12 months in the life of a scientist Read More »
A new international research project called CODSPA has just begun. The project aims to study how stress affects cod reproduction during spawning season. Researchers from Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands are working together on this important study. What is CODSPA? CODSPA stands for Cod Spawning Project. It will run from 2025 to 2028 and
The CODSPA Project: Studying Cod Spawning Across Nordic Countries Read More »
What is the aroma of Christmas? For many Icelanders Christmas smells like a mix of smoked lamb meat, Christmas tree, cookies and a little bit of fermented skate, called Skata. In Iceland Skata is traditionally eaten on the day before Christmas, Þorláksmessa (23. December; celebrating St. Þorlákur). Skata has a very strong smell because of
The feast of St. Þorlákur Read More »
Last June I applied for a networking and training event with no expectations at all. Little did I know what a fantastic journey lay ahead of me and all the beautiful people I would get to meet. But let us start at the beginning… In late 2023 two associations for Polar Early Career Scientist,
When scientists go to sea… Read More »
Lake Mývatn has been studied by people for decades, but projects really picked up when the Mývatn research station was founded 50 years ago. With Árni Einarsson as the head of the research station, scientists came together and many projects have been spearheaded through the years. Especially long-term monitoring in collaboration with the University
Mývatn Research Anniversary Conference Read More »
Vitor asked us a great question if we knew about any books on Icelandic aquatic fauna that would help someone understand the importance of fish research. So we compiled a list! (With a thank you to Bjarni Kristófer Kristjánsson who kindly sent us his recommendations). Most of these books are in Icelandic but
Books on aquatic fauna Read More »