Optimar chosen by Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries for FangstID program

Optimar, a seafood technology company based in Valderøya, Norway, was awarded NOK 2 million (USD 183,000, EUR 170,000) by the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries to participate in its FangstID program. 

The FangstID program, or CatchID program, is an initiative to adopt technological solutions onboard fishing vessels to properly identify and register their catch. The program's goal is to increase the traceability of wild-caught species as part of a transition from self-reported catch totals to automated systems that transfer data to fisheries regulators in real-time.

The Norwegian governments hopes the effort will allow it to improve the quota-setting process and create a fully transparent value chain, according to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries’ FangstID website.

Optimar said in a press release it will be assisting with identifying relevant technology for the program. 

“We are committed to the industry we provide equipment to, and wish for it to operate sustainably for many years to come. We need good quota regulations to make that a reality,” Optimar Research and Development Project Manager Johan Espelun said in a release.

Espelun said Optimar's participation in the program came with the mandate it shoot for 100 percent accuracy on species identification.

“Species recognition is a technology we are familiar with,” Espelund said. “Over the past four years, we have worked extensively on this, and we already have product in our portfolio that sort pre-cut and gutted fish based on species.”

Optimar is one of three companies chosen for phase two of the program, and as part of the new phase will develop a prototype for the FangstID program.

“With the prototype ready and internal testing completed, the two companies with the best product will be selected for phase three,” Espelund said. “That’s when the prototype truly will be tested on board a boat.”  

Optimar recently hosted a three-day seminar in Norway with U.K.-based retailer Marks and Spencer focused on improving animal welfare standards in the seafood industry.

Photo courtesy of Optimar