Mustad and SaveWave’s SeaBird Saver has won the 2014 WWF Smart Gear competition Tuna Bycatch Reduction Prize.
The SeaBird Saver emits a highly effective laser beam from the stern of the longline fishing vessel to keep birds away from the danger zone. Birds are afraid of the moving beam and react in the same manner as, for instance, they would to an approaching car. In this ecological sustainable way, the SeaBird Saver helps to prevent injury or death of sea birds and increases the catch rates of fishermen.
The judges were enthusiastic about the device’s effectiveness and ease of operation. The award was given for its great potential to reduce seabird bycatch in tuna fisheries. SaveWave’s marine biologist Ernst Schrijver travelled to Melbourne, Australia, to attend the Simplot ‘Acts of Green Event’ to receive the prize and to give Simplot employees more information on the workings and applications of the SeaBird Saver.
The SeaBird Saver is already in operation in Norway, Iceland, The Netherlands, Australia, Russia and Alaska, and Mustad says it has had outstanding results in reducing seabird bycatch and improving the yield of fishermen.
New MD
In other news from Mustad, Anders Frisinger started his new role as managing director of Mustad Autoline on 9 February.
Mr Frisinger holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Naval architecture from Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, and has 30 years experience from management positions within Swedish and Norwegian manufacturing companies.
Previous to his latest position, as CEO of the listed Swedish company Profilgruppen AB, he was in charge of several companies in Raufoss Industrial Park, Norway.
“I am looking forward to joining Mustad Autoline. It will be exciting to get to know a new line of business and to work with the environmental friendly longlining technology”, Mr Frisinger said, prior to beginning his new role.
Chairman and owner Hans H. Mustad is very happy to have Mr Frisinger onboard: “Anders Frisinger has a proven track record and will within short time be able to develop Mustad Autoline further”, he said.
Mr Frisinger replaces Christian Hedløv Engh, who after 20 years at Mustad, is moving on to his new role as the head of Innovation Norway in the county of Oppland.
