Building Social Licence in Remote Communities: How Responsible Aquaculture Strengthens the Westfjords
I grew up in Isafjordur, capital of the Westfjords. I have raised my children here, built businesses, participated in politics and sports before I took the role of CEO of Arctic Fish. My connection to the Westfjords is therefore not just professional but first and foremost personal.
For many years, our region experienced a gradual decline. Modernisation of the fisheries brought efficiency, but also fewer jobs. Processing became automated. Fewer hands were needed. Young people left. Housing prices stagnated. Municipal revenues weakened.
Since 2015, that trend has shifted. We have seen growth in employment, renewed investment, stronger municipal finances and rising housing prices. Three developments have been central to this turnaround: growing tourism with visits of over 100 cruise liners yearly, the emergence of Kerecis as a global pharmaceutical company, and significant investment in the aquaculture sector.
The Westfjords are home to only around 7,000 people. Yet this small region now hosts several of Iceland’s largest salmon farming companies, an international pharmaceutical company, and marine ingredient businesses producing minerals and high-value products from seaweed. That is not accidental. It reflects deliberate effort to build sustainable industries that utilise the region recourses in a responsible manner.
At Arctic Fish, we recognise that social licence is not granted once and for all. It must be earned continuously. Community engagement, job creation, transparency and environmental stewardship are not optional. They are foundational.
We maintain open dialogue with local councils. We do not always agree, but we always work to find common ground. We share monitoring data, invite stakeholders to visit our sites and operate under strict environmental standards. We sponsor local sports clubs and youth programmes because these are our children and our communities.
We operate in fierce international competition. Cost control and efficiency matter. At the same time, we understand that the AI revolution and automation will reshape labour markets. Some traditional roles will disappear. That makes it even more important that the new jobs emerging from technology, marine services and innovation are located here in the Westfjords and we are already seeing that development. Tech companies and specialised service providers are establishing operations in the region.
Aquaculture faces well-financed international opposition, often far removed from the communities directly affected. If calls to close operations were realised, shareholders would take losses. But most would recover. The real impact would be felt locally. Homeowners would see property values decline. Families would lose stable employment. Young people would once again leave.
Responsible aquaculture is not just an industry here. It is part of a broader effort to ensure that remote communities can thrive in a global economy. Our responsibility is clear. Operate transparently, create value for shareholders in a sustainable way, create meaningful jobs and remain accountable to the people who live here.
That is what social licence truly means in the Westfjords.
Daniel Jakobsson, CEO of Arctic Fish