At Aqua-Ice 2026, Hydros Ölfus highlighted the importance of research, monitoring and responsible groundwater use in supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
Hydros Ölfus participated in Aqua-Ice 2026, held at Harpa on 29–30 September. Elliði Vignisson, Chair of Hydros, gave a presentation on the sustainable use of groundwater and the importance of responsible resource management in aquaculture development.
The presentation was part of the session “Sustainability issues and solutions”, which explored challenges and solutions related to sustainability in aquaculture. Alongside groundwater, topics included biogas solutions, circular resource use and farmed fish health.
Water resources are one of the foundations of land-based aquaculture development in Ölfus. As activity grows, it becomes increasingly important to base water use on an understanding of groundwater and the interaction between freshwater and seawater. Long-term monitoring is therefore essential to understanding the resource and assessing the impacts of its use.
Hydros monitors groundwater in Ölfus through data collection, analysis and information sharing. The aim is to promote responsible and sustainable use and build a sound knowledge base for future decisions about the resource. Cooperation among water users is central to this work.
Aqua-Ice brought together participants from Iceland and abroad, representing industry, research, education and public administration. Hydros’ participation provided an opportunity to introduce its work and highlight the importance of groundwater in discussions about the future of aquaculture. Responsible water use connects environmental protection, the long-term interests of industry and community development.