The Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Jacob Jensen, recently visited Flume Tank North Sea and got a first-hand look at what could be the future of bottom trawling.

Flume Tank North Sea in Hirtshals is the largest flume tank in Europe and is used for testing and measuring equipment for fishing, aquaculture, offshore and underwater technology.

During his visit, the Minister received a demonstration of a new type of steerable trawl doors developed by Thyborøn Trawldoor and tested on the vessel HG 281 Elin and in Flume Tank North Sea, while researchers from DTU Aqua in Hirtshals have been responsible for an independent documentation of the solution's effect.

With the new floating trawl doors, the trawl can be steered very precisely, saving fuel and avoiding contact with the seabed.

The development of the new trawl doors is an example of how collaboration between research, industry and test facilities in the North Sea Science Park, where Flume Tank North Sea is located, creates concrete results in the ongoing transformation of the fishing industry.

“We are pleased to be able to host knowledge creation and sharing on the latest developments in sustainable fishing gear. A lot will happen in this area in the coming years, and with the good facilities here, we can co-facilitate the development of new long-term sustainable solutions,” says Hanne Kvist, CEO of the North Sea Science Park.

On the same occasion, the Minister was equipped with new, exciting knowledge about fisheries by DTU Aqua and the Danish Fishers PO.