First fish from the pulse cutter TX 68 officially on the market

On Friday 15 May, the TX 68 brought the first commercially-caught "pulse fish" to the auction in IJmuiden. This fish was caught using pulse trawling equipment, an alternative to beam trawling. Low-voltage electrical pulses rouse the flatfish from the sea bed, so that they get caught in the net. This makes fuel savings of at least 50% possible, CO2 emissions are reduced by the same percentage and the disturbance of the seabed is reduced by 30%. Pulse fishing also means a reduction of 50% in discards (undersized fish) and undesired additional catches. The expected catches of sole will remain at the same level in comparison with traditional sole fishing, while the quality of the landed fish will greatly improve. The introduction of pulse trawling equipment offers flatfish fishermen new economic prospects and is an important step towards further improvements in the sustainability of beam-trawler fishing.

The TX 68 operated by the fishing company "Vertrouwen" is a participant in the Knowledge Network on Pulse and SumWing fishing, an initiative of LEI Wageningen UR and Wageningen IMARES supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The entrepreneurs Pieter Aris van der Vis and Cor Daalder are set to make the technical and economic feasibility of the pulse method visible in practice. The primary engine of the TX 68 - 2,000 horse power - has been adjusted to 1,300 horse power. During fishing, the TX 68 is expected to only use a maximum of 1,130 horse power of that capacity. With the improved fish quality, the expectation is that the market position of fish caught using pulse trawling equipment will also improve.

Due to the social debate on improving sustainability, the high fuel prices and low fish prices, fellow fishermen have expressed a great deal of interest. The process of continuous innovation within the fishing sector has thus been accelerated. A further four fishing entrepreneurs are keen to invest in pulse fishing this year. Together with the entrepreneurs of the TX 68, they will develop this method further. The profitability of the fishing companies needs to improve to such an extent that investments can be made once again. Cooperation is a prerequisite for this.

Results of a recent trial project with the UK 153 were so promising that the introduction of pulse fishing on a commercial basis was only a matter of time. Cooperation between Pieter Louwe van Slooten (ex UK 153), Verburg Holland BV and other interested fishermen from Stellendam, Texel and Urk offered the solution. Through the knowledge network, the entrepreneurs were given support by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, enabling them to make these investments. The entrepreneurs bear most of the costs of the investment themselves (at least 60%). The rest is subsidised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. From now on, however, 100% of the commercial risk will lie with the entrepreneurs.


Knowledge Networks for Fisheries: run for and by fishermen

Knowledge networks are groups/study groups of fishermen who have formulates challenges, questions or problems themselves and look for solutions together. Cooperation within the fishing sector, between fishermen and researchers and between fishermen and other relevant parties within the chain and within society is essential in order to ensure maximum sustainability within the sector and to make it profitable once again. The important elements in this regard are cost savings, increasing yields and reducing the ecological impact. The experiences that emerge from the Knowledge Networks are publically available and will benefit the sector as a whole.