FLOWN FROM SEA TO TABLE

ICE FIORD HALIBUT: Freshly caught halibut is now being flown from Greenland to western Europe for the first time ever. The small aircraft capacity makes the fish a rare luxury item

Greenland Glacier Seafood A/S is a small privately owned company in Ilulissat which for the first time in Greenland’s history now sells freshly caught fish products to the north European luxury market. Initially the fish is freshly caught halibut from the ice fiord, packed in ice and flown directly from the factory via Greenland’s international airport in Sondre Stromfjord to the markets in Europe.

     “It is simply the best quality in the world,” says director Steen Bangsgaard of Greenland Glacier Seafood. “The halibut has so far been sold as frozen fish, but with the establishment of a cargo agreement with Air Greenland, the freshly caught fish can now be sold three days after the catch without being frozen. Luxury restaurants in northern Europe can serve this amazing fish without comprising quality requirements.” Greenland Glacier Seafood is owned by 42 shareholders from the town of Ilulissat. The fish is caught by some 250 fishermen. During the summer when the sea is free of ice, the fish is caught from a dinghy, while in winter the fish is caught through holes in the ice.

     Greenland Ice Fiord halibut has white and firm flesh, and the high level of fish oil makes it one of the healthiest fish to eat. The waters from which the fish come are also known to be the world’s purest.

     “It is a luxury in line with oysters and caviar,” says Bangsgaard. “That’s because the amount of Ice Fiord halibut is limited to 9 tons a week. The aircraft from Air Greenland are unable to handle more. Our tiny airport in Ilulissat has only one 800 metre runway, and is used by the relatively small Dash-7 aircraft. Until the runway is lengthened for handling larger aircraft, our freshly caught halibut will continue to be a rare delicacy.”