Low impact Fuel eficcient longline system

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This project intends to construct a technological platform for longlining, which will have a potential market ten times as large as the present market. In addition to being an automated alternative for those who operate longline manually or with other tec hnological solutions today, the increased flexibility and higher efficiency provided by the presented technology will make longlining a desirable alternative to other fishing gear such as trawls and gillnets. Mustad is already present in markets around th e globe with hooks and other consumables, and the estimations of marked potential is based on feedback from Mustad distributors worldwide. A technological break-through and the corresponding market opportunities will potentially increase the main partici pants total turnover 3-4 times thus adding share-holder value, creating knowledge based jobs and securing a long term industrial success. Similar benefits are identified for the industrial project partners. The present project will contribute to more su stainable fisheries by developing environmental friendly fishing technology. Longline is considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly and quality preserving catch methods available on an industrial scale today. Longline caught fish is usually alive and faultless when it enters the vessel and the gear has practically no negative effect on the seabed. In addition, the carbon emissions from each fish kg harvested with this technique are only 25-75 % compared to bottom trawling . All important el ements in the revised Common Fisheries Policy carved out by the European Union for the future.