From reducing fuel use and the negative impact of trawling on the seabed, to improving fishermen’s ability to selectively catch the target species and better communicate with their families and friends at home, the video shows how one boat in the industry is embracing technology.
“We really don’t like changes,” says Åsmund Breivik the Skipper on board Hermes, “but when we get something better we will soon adopt it.”
The way wild fish is harvested is attracting controversy due to environmental impact some catching methods can have. Scientific reports show that Bottom Trawling can result in elevated by-catch rates, higher fuel use and be detrimental to the benthic; marine ecosystem impacts that can undermine the future of the seafood industry.
As a company reliant on the health of oceans and strength of fisheries, Espersen has for many years funded and collaborated on various gear technology improvement initiatives.
“We see a strong connection between gear use and ecosystem impact. For wild caught seafood to continue to play a key part in a healthy diet in coming decades, the marine fishing industry needs to ensure that our catch is optimised within acceptable environmental impact limits. This is the vision of ‘Net Positive Fishing’ that we are working towards with our suppliers like Hermes,” says Alex Olsen Head of Sustainability at Espersen.
Hermes is a supplier of frozen fish to Espersen - a major international seafood processor. FAI has been working in partnership with Espersen since 2012 to help build sustainability leadership and project a brand with purpose. For more information please see Espersen’s sustainability programme 'Our Seas, Our Fish Our Future.'
If you missed Part 1 - Fishing for the Future: Video Shows Rare Insight into Life Aboard a Fishing Vessel, you can watch it here.
