The Western Fish Producers’ Organisation will adapt the Sumwing trawl for hard, rocky seabeds and test its viability, to determine whether this innovative gear could be used by the UK’s entire beam trawl fleet.
£360,678
12 months
Since beam trawling was developed, the beam — which holds the mouth of the net open—has changed little. However, in 1992, the Sumwing was developed as a major innovation. This hydrofoil beam was designed to decrease the hydrodynamic resistance of traditional beam trawls, thereby reducing fuel consumption and minimising seabed impact. Despite these benefits, the UK’s fishing fleet has not widely adopted this technology, partly because it is not compatible with the rocky, banking fishing grounds found around much of the UK. This project collaborated with the original designer of the Sumwing to redesign, develop, and test an innovative modified Sumwing, adapted to work with chain mat gear and the challenging seabed conditions in the South West of England.
In 2024, a team from the UK and the Netherlands, led by the Western Fish Producers’ Organisation, tested this modified Sumwing during at-sea trials in the Channel. These trials demonstrated that the Sumwing could reduce fuel consumption by approximately 5% (~30,000 litres annually), saving around £18,000 and reducing CO2e emissions by 80 tonnes. Additionally, the modified gear delivered increased catch rates for high-value species such as sole and scallops, boosting profitability while further lowering the carbon footprint of the food provided by the UK’s fishing industry.
With an estimated 18-month return on investment for the Sumwing system, its success could pave the way for greater sustainability, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced economic viability for the UK beam trawl fleet. This would support government net-zero goals and strengthen the UK’s food security.
Western Fish Producers' Organisation