Sharing our knowledge
Our innovations
Our future innovations
Innovation is in our DNA. We feel responsible for passing on a healthy sea to future generations. Sustainability is a wonderful challenge.
Innovation is in the DNA of Ekofish Group. The company continuously develops more sustainable fishing techniques, driven by the desire to respect the environment while also remaining economically viable.
Innovation is often found in small things. We are happy to give an example: Since 2012, the trawlers of Ekofish Group have been fishing with Dyneema synthetic ropes and floats instead of steel wire. As a result, the trawl doors no longer drag across the seabed, but ‘hover’ above it. The result is that the seabed remains untouched, the nets experience less wear, and the trawler uses less fuel. It is the sum of small innovations that makes the greatest difference.
2009: Mesh size
Increasing the mesh size of the nets. This allows young fish to escape from the nets while still in the sea. An important step forward, because young fish were previously caught and then thrown back into the sea, or now — due to new EU regulations — even have to be brought ashore, meaning they will never be able to grow into adult fish.
2010: Escape panels
Introduction of escape panels in the nets. Thanks to the escape panels located at the top of the nets, unwanted bycatch — such as roundfish — can escape during fishing. Good for fish stocks and for the welfare of the fish.
2011: ISO22000
First fishing company with an ISO 22000 quality system on board its vessels.
2012: Stunner
Introduction of the ‘stunner’ on board, a device that immediately stuns the fish after capture with an electric shock, allowing the fish to be killed and processed in a painless manner.
2013: New twin-rig
A new twin-rig net with floating doors, synthetic lines, and floats, ensuring that the seabed remains undisturbed during fishing.
2015: Filleting machines
Introduction of the gutting machine on board. To ensure the quality of the fish, it is important that it is cooled continuously immediately after being caught. Ekofish Group was the first in the Netherlands to install gutting machines on board its vessels, allowing the fish to be processed quickly and immediately cooled again.