Keep catch cold! The solution comes from Sweden

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Fish is very sensitive to temperature. If preserved at 15 degrees Centigrade, freshness is maintained only 1-2 days, whereas if temperature is kept at 0 degrees Centigrade, freshness is increased up to 15 days. These facts clarify the importance of an unbroken cold chain from the point that the fish is brought on board until it reaches the consumer. It will not help to have a cold truck standing at the quay loading "warm fish". Ice and Ice slurry put on the catch helps but only partly. This will only give a median temperature between 0 degrees (melting temperature of ice) and surrounding temperature. What has to be done is to create a cargo hold temperature as close to 0 degrees as possible. This will also minimise the usage of ice or ice slurry, which saves money for the ship owner. Price of the catch will also increase due to better quality!

The solution

The Searef(tm) refrigeration system. A cargo hold refrigeration system that has been developed in Sweden over the last years. The system has been so successful that it now is installed in around 35% of the Swedish fishing fleet.

Following demands were to be met:

Materials that withstand extreme marine conditions with high humidity and high salt concentrations.

Reliability that gives safety in fish handling week after week, year after year.

Easy and quick installation with the help of turnkey components (prefabricated) and adapted to each individual layout. This helps the ship owner to get the ship out fishing as quick as ever possible (money is made at sea, not in ports) and eliminates the need of specially trained installers.

Easy regulation / automation of the system is obtained by regulating and monitoring from the pilothouse.

Environmental issues have also been met by choosing materials that are recyclable and environmentally friendly.

The managing director of Searef(tm) Mr Martin Starzmann states that the company is dedicated in helping fishing industry to increase valorisation of the limited fish resources.

He says: "Keeping the cargo holds at low temperatures with the company's easily installed equipments can do this".

The company is based in Gothenburg Sweden, an old traditional fishing area, and the day to day contacts with the boat owners has helped and helps the future development of the refrigeration equipments.