The 18 islands that make up the Faroe Islands are surrounded by one of the world''s most hostile oceans, but the waters also possess some of the richest fishing grounds in the world. A perfect place for Faroe Island company Oilwind to develop its jigging reel
With the introduction of more sustainable fishing in the past few years, the environmentally sound longlining and especially jigging have become more and more favourable.
For a start the species associated with jigging have a very low bycatch because usually only mature fish are caught. Because of this fishing can be carried out when species are spawning because the fish will not bite until the spawning process is completed.
Jigging also leaves the bottom untounched and intact and therefore leaves the breeding area undisturbed. According to Oilwind the quality of catch is very high since the fish are usually alive when they are brought on board and they have suffered none of the stress of being hooked for many hours on a longline or the crusting that can happen in a net or trawl bag.
The Oilwind jigging machines have been manufactured with the tough conditions of the North Atlantic in mind. They are made of stainless steel and sea resistant aluminium. The elegant design conceals a robust and durable piece of equipment which ensures trouble free operation anywhere in the world, according to Oilwind.
Oilwind also says that the automatic version has been produced in close co-operation with the fishermen that use them.
Many functions on the machine are easily altered to take account of the changing conditions, including the depth at which to fish to a maximum of 200 fathoms, and the weight at which the user wants the machine to reel in.
Oilwind Jiggers tap into a hydraulic system, either the vessels or a auxiliary just for jiggers. The machine itself is usually mounted in a davit for easy removal. The aluminium reel, which is about 30cm in diameter is wound with 100 to 200 fathoms of 300-400lb test mono-filament line.
There is a snap on leader of 100-200lb monofilament, six to fifteen hooks are attached to the leader spaced two to four feet apart with a swivel between each. The leader ends with another swivel and a 5-15lb lead sinker.
The line is set to reel out until it hits the bottom then retracts a set distance. It then jiggs up and down a specific distance. Every 1 fathom jig, the machine drops the sinker to the bottom and starts the cycle again. Catch rates with the machine vary widely but Oilwind say that an average of about 2000lbs per day.
