Winning is naturally best, but just being one of the nominees for the prestigious Nor-Fishing Innovation Award, which will be announced during the opening ceremony of this month’s exhibition in Trondheim, makes you a member of a pretty exclusive club – and it certainly raises awareness.
This year one of the small number of nominees is fishing gear supplier Mørenot, which has been trialling its Injector Flow Gear – which during the test and trial phases was known as Semi-Circular Spreading Groundgear (SCSG).
Unlike conventional hoppers that are like towing a car across the seabed with the handbrake on, the Flow Gear floats over the seabed ‘like a carpet,’ according to Mørenot Fishery trawl sales manager Tore Ringstad.
‘We hope and believe that the Injector Flow Gear will set a new standard for bottom trawling and are looking forward to showing it during this year’s Nor-Fishing,’ he said, commenting that as well as the oval profile of the Flow Gear being smoother and lighter to tow than a hopper footrope, it also ensures that few fish escape from the mouth of the net.
‘In other words, the gear ensures better, more flexible and less destructive catching,’ he said.
‘The attention that comes with the nomination is very flattering, in addition to the fact that it motivates us to continue developing Injector Flow Gear to become even better.’
While hoppers are made from heavyweight vulcanised rubber, often sourced from the used tyres of heavy vehicles, the Flow Gear is made from HDPE plastic,a lightweight, durable material that is easier and cheaper to recycle.
‘The material weighs less and ensures that the trawl is easier to handle on deck. It creates less resistance and friction, making it easier to tow. As a result, the trawler uses less fuel,’ Tore Ringstad said.
‘Several customers have reported previous challenges where the bottom trawl comes fast in certain places. Since adopting the Injector Flow Gear, they have not experienced fasteners at all,’ he said.
‘An Icelandic customer reported a fuel saving of up to 20% when using the Injector Flow Gear. This will probably vary greatly from boat to boat, but it shows a clear saving when using lighter equipment.’
Mørenot Fishery is currently experiencing strong interest in the product from around the world, including from New Zealand, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, China, the USA and Greenland.
‘The nomination for the Innovation Award will probably increase interest and demand even further,’ Tore Ringstad said.
