Bakkafjörður community faces uncertainty as fish processing facility consolidation follows job layoffs

In Bakkafjörður, a small community of about 60 residents, a decision has been made to strengthen a single fish processing facility instead of maintaining two. This comes after five employees were laid off from GPG Seafood due to a reduction in the fishing quota allocated to the area. The decision was prompted by a cut of 100 tons to the community quota by the Regional Development Institute, which subsequently allocated the entire remaining quota of 300 tons to the other fish processing plant in the village, Bjarg.

The move has raised concerns among local residents, particularly following the unexpected layoffs. The Regional Development Institute believes that consolidating operations into one strong facility is more likely to yield positive long-term impacts for the community. However, the village’s local government has expressed disappointment, advocating for a more equitable distribution of the quota between the two companies.

Arnar Már Elíasson, the director of the institute, noted the limited amount of quota available, which has led to difficult decisions affecting multiple vulnerable communities. He acknowledged the heightened demand for resources compared to what they can provide.

Langanesbyggð’s mayor, Björn S. Lárusson, criticized the institute’s decision, emphasizing that both the majority and minority of the local council felt there should have been a fair division of the quota. He underlined the importance of taking community consultations seriously as part of the decision-making process. The future of Bakkafjörður hinges on these developments in the fishing industry, reflecting broader issues of governance and resource allocation in struggling rural areas.