A major gathering for Arctic research

As previously reported, the University of Akureyri had a strong presence at UArctic Congress 2026 in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, where representatives from the university and Arctic institutions based on the Akureyri campus contributed to a wide range of sessions, presentations, and discussions. Among those taking part was Dr. Thanh Viet Nguyen, with the Faculty of Natural resources. Thanh chaired and presented research at the UArctic Congress and his contribution highlighted the university’s research strength in fisheries economics, Arctic sustainability, and ecosystem-based marine management.

Bringing together around 1,400 participants

Hosted by the University of the Faroe Islands in collaboration with Arctic partners and the Faroese government, the congress brought together approximately 1,400 participants from academia, government, Indigenous organizations, industry, and international institutions. The event included more than 200 scientific sessions and thousands of presentations, discussions, and policy activities focusing on Arctic sustainability, marine governance, climate change, and blue economy development.

The congress also featured keynote speeches and high-level participation from several prominent international figures, including former Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, Inuit Circumpolar Council Chair Sara Olsvig, and Rector of the University of the Faroe Islands Martin T. Zachariasen.

Blue economy and Arctic marine resources

Dr. Nguyen jointly organized Session 68 together with Yajie Liu. The session, entitled “Blue Economy Strategies for Enhancing Productivity and Efficiency in Arctic Marine Resources and Sectors,” focused on fisheries productivity, ecosystem-based management, aquaculture sustainability, and Arctic marine governance.

As session chair, Dr. Nguyen moderated scientific presentations and discussions throughout the session, which attracted approximately 30 participants and generated active audience engagement. Around 6–10 questions and discussion points were raised following the presentations.

Research on productivity and fisheries management

In addition to chairing the session, Dr. Nguyen delivered two research presentations.

The first presentation, “Productivity Growth in Norwegian Cod Trawlers: The Role of the Production Environment,” examined how environmental and operational conditions influence productivity and efficiency in Arctic fisheries. The study emphasized that production performance depends not only on vessel technology and economic inputs, but also on broader ecosystem and environmental conditions.

Dr. Nguyen also presented a second paper entitled “Optimal Harvest, Suboptimal Stock: Harvest Targets and Adjustment Dynamics,” co-authored with Stefán Bjarni Gunnlaugsson and Hreiðar Þór Valtysson from the University of Akureyri. The study examined why fisheries may achieve near-optimal harvest levels while maintaining persistently suboptimal stock sizes.

Using data from the Icelandic cod fishery covering the period 1997–2023, the study combined empirical demand and harvesting-cost estimation with a dynamic bioeconomic model. The results showed that harvest levels in the Icelandic cod fishery remain close to maximum economic yield (MEY) benchmarks, while stock biomass remains substantially below economically optimal levels. The research further demonstrated that business-as-usual harvesting may lead to substantial long-term economic losses, while improved harvest targeting could significantly increase the present value of fishery profits.

Active discussion on ecosystem-based management

The session generated extensive discussion on ecosystem-based management in Arctic marine systems. Topics raised by participants included:

• ecosystem-based management for Icelandic cod fisheries,
• ecological thresholds and resilience in marine ecosystems,
• climate variability and fisheries productivity,
• sustainability challenges in Faroe Islands salmon aquaculture,
• and environmental externalities associated with Norwegian aquaculture systems.

Participants discussed the increasing importance of integrating fisheries economics, marine ecology, climate science, and governance into future Arctic marine policy. Particular attention was given to threshold-based management approaches, including biomass thresholds, ecosystem carrying capacity, biodiversity protection, and long-term environmental sustainability.

According to Dr. Nguyen, the congress reflected a broader international shift toward interdisciplinary Arctic research and ecosystem-centered marine management.

“The discussions showed that future Arctic marine management must increasingly balance economic productivity, ecosystem resilience, and climate uncertainty simultaneously,” he noted.

Dr. Nguyen’s participation as session chair, organizer, and presenter further strengthens the international visibility of research conducted at the University of Akureyri in fisheries economics, Arctic sustainability, and ecosystem-based marine management.

Read more about the University of Akureyri’s participation in UArctic Congress 2026 in this previously published news item: Strong participation from the University of Akureyri at the largest Arctic science conference held to date.