Established in Norway in 2017, Resqunit has now set up in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, with Deadliest Catch skipper Sig Hansen as the face of its innovative fishing gear retrieval devices.
Designed to float free after a period of time under water, the Resqunit provides an opportunity to recover gear that would otherwise be lost, and is aimed primarily at crab and lobster gear.
Now the company has set up in the Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE) Start-Up Yard in Dartmouth NS, alongside a campaign to present its product to the North American fishing industry.
‘Resqunit was developed in order to reduce the significant economic losses that can occur for both hobby and professional fishermen when they lose their valuable gear,’ said Resqunit CEO Helge Tretto Olsen.
‘The bigger picture is that it also protects our ocean floors and marine life by reducing the number of ghost traps and fishing gear that threaten fish, crab and lobster stocks along global coastlines. Knowing Canada’s global position as a fishing leader, we are confident that Resqunit will be embraced by the industry here.’
‘As fishermen we hold a deep connection to the ocean waters that we are lucky to call our workplace,’ Sig Hansen said.
‘Resqunit’s innovation will set-out to not only protect our bottom-line by saving gear and stock, it will also serve to protect the very source that provides for us – a responsibility we take seriously.’
Erik Nobbe will lead Resqunit’s Canadian operations as Canadian CEO.
‘Fishing is such a huge part of our past and current history, not just in Nova Scotia but Atlantic Canada wide and beyond,’ Erik Nobbe said.
‘The support from government, industry and investment pillars within the region has been unbelievable to date which was of no surprise to me after working in the space for more than a quarter of a century.’
He pointed out that the launch of Resqunit in Canada comes at a time when many are focusing on the oceans, and the precious resources at stake – between the North Atlantic Right Whale entanglements to protecting the ocean floors from further ‘ghost gear’ occurrences. He believes that the increased awareness around these issues, in combination with the simplicity, functionality and low price of the device will appeal to both the lobster and crab sectors.
