Posted on 12/17/2008 6:56:00 PM PST by george76
FOR centuries, Icelanders earned a living from the sea, setting out in small boats to haul cod, haddock and herring from the North Atlantic waters.
But in recent years these proud descendants of Vikings found new fish to catch, scooping up businesses around the world with the help of light financial regulation and expansive banks.
"There was some banker who said we didn't need the fishing industry," said Helgi Mar Sigurgeirsson, the chief engineer of a fishing trawler moored in Reykjavik harbour. "He said we could make money with the banks. I'd like to speak to him now."
Fishing is so entwined with Iceland's national identity that its coins carry pictures of cod and crabs. But in the past few years, hardy Iceland was seduced by quick money. Now the sea may once again be Iceland's lifeline. While the rest of the economy crumbles, the island nation's fishing industry is booming, with big catches and rising export prices, thanks to the collapse of Iceland's currency, the krona.
This year's season is good. Fish are plentiful, and prices for many species are high.
For now, fishermen are the poster boys of Iceland's long slog to economic revival. Mr Sigurgeirsson, 34, has been at sea for ten years and is bemused by his industry's new image. He says fishermen are being painted as a cross between national saviours and fat cats who haul in big salaries from bumper catches.
Trawler crews spend as many as 200 days a year at sea – up to 40 days at a stretch – and receive a share of the catch, so their income fluctuates.
Mr Sigurgeirsson says that for every boom year there is another when crews make only the minimum wage.
(Excerpt) Read more at thescotsman.scotsman.com ...
Are you codding me about this story?. I am not really herring what you have to say..
OK no more fish jokes...My bad...
Regardless, they're going to have to scale back.
Can you improve the title ?
They have to start somewhere.
Good! You are giving me a head hake & I feel like I'm going to fluke.
Could you repeat the question, I’m hard of herring.
Japan’s stock market was near 40,000 twenty years ago.
Bounced around 20,000 and is still below 10,000.
May take another twenty years for Japan to return to 40,000 plus inflation factors.
Who know about Iceland and the rest of the world ?
Similar ranges ?
I suggest you go to another plaice..It might help your head hake?
With all their geothermal energy, you’d think they’d capitalize on their ability to generate cheap electricity. In other words, attract energy intensive industries to set up shop.
You know, industries like aluminum refining... or any sort of metallurgy.
With all these jokes, I think us freepers will start to flounder around...
I can climb the hightest Mountain and swim the deepest Ocean, but, I’m unable change the title.
[singing] I’d climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest ocean...
(from an episode of “Flight of the Conchords”)
both of you quit carping LOL
Since that one had been used before I actually posted and read the thread, I guess eel have to come up with something else, orca mup with some good excuse to get offline for a change and go to bed.
They are one of world leader in aluminum refining
Someone was floundering with this head...
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