Monday September 11th, Thor Sigfusson, Founder and Chairman of the Iceland Ocean Cluster, and Barbara Rasco, Professor and Director of Washington State University’s Food Science Department, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of developing coordinated efforts to provide support to the diversified sectors of the seafood value chain that share the common vision to develop sustainable products and technology for the ocean industry.

Increased cooperation with Washington State University’s dynamic Food Science Department will without doubt be of value for members of the Iceland Ocean Cluster. Likewise, sharing the knowledge and experience of the Icelandic fisheries industry regarding full utilization of fisheries products is of much benefit to the University’s Food Science Department. The establishment of a Seattle Ocean Cluster, based on the Iceland Ocean Cluster model, is being prepared and this cooperation agreement between the Iceland Ocean Cluster and WSU is a valuable input into that effort.

Attached is a picture from the signing of the MOU. In addition to Thor Sigfusson and Barbara Rasco, Ms. Ragnheidur Elin Arnadottir, Senior Partner with the Iceland Ocean Cluster leading the the establishment of the Seattle Ocean Cluster, witnessed the signing.