Icelandic trawl door manufacturer Polar Fishing Gear is embarking on a co-operative venture to modernise fisheries in Kenya, in terms of greater efficiency, improved catch handling and in introducing a circular economy for recycling fishing gear.
In addition to local partners, Polar is working with Kaldara Group to introduce more environmentally-friendly and sustainable fishing practices that dovetail with UN sustainability goals.
The venture has been awarded a grant by the Sustainable Development Goals Partnership Fund, and is currently at a preparation stage to assess possibilities for co-operation with fishermen and interested parties in Kenya to introduce Pluto trawl doors made from recycled plastic and insulated recyclable minitubs.
The intention is that both doors and minitubs will be manufactured in Kenya, partly using recycled plastic.
The aims of the venture are to support providing local populations with healthy seafood and employment, and to promote the collection of plastic waste to be delivered to the partnership in return for a fee.
Polar’s Pluto doors do not need ground contact to square a trawl effectively, resulting in lower operating costs and more sustainable fisheries. The insulated minitubs are intended to ensure better handling of catches and higher quality levels.
The Sustainable Development Goals Partnership Fund supports Icelandic companies to invest in developing nations, and those projects are required promote employment and sustainable growth.
Above: Atli Már Jósafatsson of Pólar Fishing Gear, Ministry of Foreign Affairs director general María Mjöll Jónsdóttir and Haukur Alfreðsson of Kaldara Group after signing the grant agreement. Image: Utanríkisráðuneytið
