The potential will be investigated in a 3-year KMB project entitled "Development ofmultirig semi-pelagic trawling." The main goal is to develop multirig semi-pelagic trawl technologies for sustainable utilization of deep-water shrimp and groundfish. The project proposes an energy reduction of approx. 20% by shifting from bottom trawling to multirig semi-pelagic trawling. An energy saving of for example 20% means approx. 200 MNOK less in annual fuel costs for the Norwegian trawler fleet with an oil price at current levels.
In addition to energy savings, there is great potential to increase the annual shrimp catch of 25,000 tonnes, against the recommended level of the TAC, which represents an added value of ca. 625 MNOK. The project is carried out by SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture Research AS in cooperation with the Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology University NTNU, University of Massachusetts (USA), Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada), Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund (FHF), Roll-Royce Marine AS and Mørenot AS.
