Together with the Marine Institute in Newfoundland, Vónin and Vónin Canada are working together on a project with a goal to reduce the impact that bottom trawls have on the seabed.

From left: Dean Bartlett, Manager, Vónin Canada; Hjalmar Petersen Managing Director, Vónin; Jan Klein, Sales Manager, Vónin Canada; Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Government of Canada; Dr Paul Winger, Director, Centre for Sustainabl...

From left: Dean Bartlett, Manager, Vónin Canada; Hjalmar Petersen Managing Director, Vónin; Jan Klein, Sales Manager, Vónin Canada; Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Government of Canada; Dr Paul Winger, Director, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources, Marine Institute; Dr Christopher Loomis, President and Vice-Chancellor pro tempore, Memorial University; and Glenn Blackwood, Director, Marine Institute

The project is expected to cost around $4.1 million and will receive a $1.8 million contribution from the Canadian Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF).

The project’s objective is to develop bottom trawls that will have a reduced seabed impact, while also maintaining economically sustainable catch levels.

In the coming years, it is expected that countries around the world will mandate the use of environmentally-friendly bottom trawls for the fishing industry. By participating in this project Vónin expects to develop bottom trawls that will meet these requirements.

“Instead of just standing on the sideline, Vónin has taken this opportunity and chosen to participate in this project, because as trawlmakers we have a responsibility to come up with new and better solutions,” says managing director, Hjalmar Petersen.

The research team for this project has been put together by industrial engineers, benthic ecologists, fisheries researchers, fishing captains and fishing gear designers.

The project is expected to begin in April and is likely to conclude in March 2015.

Topics

Related Companies