In the year 1903 Icelandic fishermen discovered the rich schools of herring in the seas around the island. In 1911 modern fish oil production started and fishermen flocked out and returned with their ships full of this newfound treasure named Silver of the Sea. Later on, the health benefits of the herringrich Icelandic diet was discovered. This might hold the key to Icelanders well known longevity. Sustainability Nowadays, the responsibly controlled herring fisheries play a big role to maintain employment and residence in the rural fishing villages around Iceland.