Product development
We are developing a solution that allows efficient bottom fishing without physical contact with the seabed.
Our goal is to replace the current bottom trawling method with our concept by using pelagic trawling.
Background and problem
Bottom trawling is the most efficient form of industrial fishing and accounts for 60% of global fishing , but it has a major impact on the climate and nature. It leads to major destruction of seabed ecosystems, which are also one of the world's largest carbon stores . Bottom trawling releases large amounts of CO2. Every year, an area equal to 150% of Europe's land area is trawled, equivalent to 4,316 football pitches every minute . This area is being destroyed, and the ecosystem will use at least 7-15 years to rebuild itself, and in some cases it will be permanently damaged.
The effect of bottom trawling is that ecosystems and habitats are destroyed. The animals on the seabed are losing their homes, hiding places and food sources. The problem is so big that Oslo City Council wants to ban bottom trawling in Oslofjorden, and researchers say it may be banned in Norway in the future if fishing continues as it is today. In addition 60 tons of microplastics are released annually from trawl mats, dollyrope, which is there to protect the net. This has a large, negative impact on the marine ecosystem.
Underwater image shows how bottom trawls scrape against the seabed.
The effect of bottom trawling is that ecosystems and habitats are destroyed. The animals on the seabed are losing their homes, hiding places and food sources. The problem is so big that Oslo City Council wants to ban bottom trawling in Oslofjorden, and researchers say it may be banned in Norway in the future if fishing continues as it is today. In addition 60 tons of microplastics are released annually from trawl mats, dollyrope, which is there to protect the net. This has a large, negative impact on the marine ecosystem.
To address these societal and environmental challenges, Trawl Tech UB is developing a more sustainable trawling method that preserves the seabed ecosystem and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, such as microplastics and carbon emissions. Pelagic trawling is a different type of trawling, without contact with the seabed. Research shows that pelagic trawling reduces the catch of demersal fish by 80% , but Trawl Tech wants to preserve the seabed while maintaining efficiency and economic sustainability in fishing.
Our concept
Trawl Tech is developing a sustainable alternative to bottom trawling. We will achieve this by using a pelagic trawl. Pelagic trawl is a different type of trawl, without contact with the seabed. This type of trawl does not have the same consequences as bottom trawling, but research shows that pelagic trawling reduces the catch of bottom fish by 80% . We will make the pelagic trawl more efficient by attracting fish that would not normally be caught by a pelagic trawl, so that bottom fish can be caught without bottom impact. We will use a zipline mechanism to send a feed box down from the boat.
Since autumn 2024, we at Trawl Tech UB have been actively working on developing our solution. The concept has been developed in collaboration with a number of professionals and researchers. Our mentor, Dr. Eduardo Grimaldo, Head of Fisheries at the Norwegian Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund (FHF), has played a key role, especially in the idea development phase. We have also developed a prototype in collaboration with Sintef Ocean and Tratec.
At the end of February we were at Husebybadet in Trondheim where we tested the prototype's function in water. This allowed us to improve the mechanism. From March 11 to 13, 2025 we were in Oslo to test the prototype in collaboration with the University of Oslo. Through this testing we gained valuable insight into how our idea works in practice, and the results indicate that the solution works as expected.
Solution benefits
Today, there are no good alternatives to bottom trawling. Trawl Tech UB offers an innovative solution that addresses the serious environmental consequences of bottom trawling. Emissions from bottom trawling are caused by destruction of the seabed, which is the world's largest carbon store. By implementing our solution, shipping companies reduce CO₂ emissions from the seabed and save 20% on fuel, which corresponds to a saving of 360 million kroner annually in Norway.
Our solution introduces a new way of conducting sustainable bottom fishing, without bottom contact. By using a container of krill meal to lure the fish up to a pelagic trawl, we reduce environmental damage and CO₂ emissions. The method enables shipping companies to meet stricter environmental requirements that will come in the future. The combination of sustainability and increased market value makes our solution unique for the trawling industry.
