EU

 

As climate challenges escalate, the fishing industry—particularly small-scale fisheries—reaches a pivotal moment. With the growing need to reduce carbon emissions and adopt sustainable practices, innovation is essential for the future of both fishers and marine ecosystems.

SEAGLOW is an forward-thinking EU-funded project including 16 partners aimed at supporting small-scale fisheries during the energy transition by testing and implementing green and carbon-neutral solutions on small-scale fishing vessels. It is funded by Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021 to 202) and contributes to the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters which aims to protect and restore the health of Europe’s oceans, seas and waters, including through its “Baltic & North Sea Lighthouse” that engages and supports stakeholders across the Baltic and North Sea to reach a carbon-neutral and circular blue economy.

Hanne Breghendahl Pihl, Head of Unit at the NorthDenmark EU-Office and leading the SEAGLOW consortium, provides insights into the project’s vision and the technologies being implemented, such as hybrid electric drivetrains and methanol-powered engines. 

Learn more Hanne’s perspective on the urgent need for change, the collaborative spirit of the Seaglow project, and how this multi-disciplinary consortium contributes to achieving greener small-scale fisheries.

 

Hanne, could you briefly introduce the Seaglow project and its main objectives?

The SEAGLOW project “Sustainable Energy Applications for Green and Low-impact Operation of small-scale fishing boats,” aims to reduce the carbon footprint of small-scale fisheries in the Baltic and North Sea basins. Through the implementation of alternative energy sources and fuel-efficient technologies, SEAGLOW addresses the urgent need for sustainable fishing operations by reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Its objectives include developing energy-efficient practices, by testing different types of energy sufficient applications such as engines, coating and surveillance technology on 4 fishings vessels in the area. But it also focuses on promoting renewable energy use in the maritime sector in general, and ultimately helping to pave the way for achieving carbon neutrality for small fishing vessels in the future.

 

Why is it important to focus on small-scale fishing boats when addressing environmental sustainability in the maritime sector?

Small-scale fishing boats, which make up a significant portion of the European fishing fleet, face high operational costs and environmental impacts due to fuel dependency. By targeting these boats, SEAGLOW aims to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, contributing directly to the EU Green Deal objectives while at the same time helping smaller operators remain economically viable while reducing their environmental impact.

 

What are the key strengths and unique expertise of the Seaglow project consortium, and how do they contribute to achieving the project’s goals?

 The SEAGLOW consortium comprises a diverse set of organizations, including research institutes, NGOs, industry representatives, and energy technology providers from across Europe and 4 fishermen, which are investing both their time and their livelyhood (in this case their boats) in the project. This multidisciplinary team provides expertise in marine engineering, energy-efficient technologies, policy, and fishing industry operations, ensuring that SEAGLOW’s approach is both technically innovative and well-aligned with industry needs.

 

What type of sustainable energy technologies will Seaglow explore and implement for small-scale fishing vessels?

SEAGLOW is exploring several sustainable technologies, including hybrid methanol/electric engines, low-drag hull coatings, and low-cost monitoring systems for tracking fuel consumption and operational efficiency. Each technology will be tested on different fishing vessels, providing a comprehensive assessment of their effectiveness in reducing fuel consumption and emissions in real-world conditions.

 

Who are the key stakeholders in the Seaglow project, and how do you plan to engage with them throughout the project’s lifecycle?

SEAGLOW’s stakeholders include small-scale fishers, industry representatives, policymakers, and environmental organizations. We will try to involve all parties through co-creation workshops, policy advocacy, and community-based trials, where other fishermen can come and try the different application in order to encourage adoption and ensure that developed technologies meet stakeholder needs. Through these  workshops and public engagement, we hope that SEAGLOW can help foster collaboration and ensure that new innovations align with local community goals and needs as well as aligning with the EU policy on the topic.

 

How will the outcomes of Seaglow benefit both small-scale fishers and the environment?

By introducing fuel-efficient, renewable technologies, SEAGLOW aims to reduce the operational costs and environmental impact for small-scale fishers, improving economic viability and lowering their carbon footprint. Additionally, SEAGLOW’s environmentally friendly coatings and energy monitoring tools offer reduced emissions, supporting both marine biodiversity and fishers’ long-term sustainability.

 

How can stakeholders, particularly small-scale fishers, get involved in the Seaglow project and benefit from its findings?

Fishers can participate in SEAGLOW’s showcasings being run in for instance Sweden, which will allow them come and browse and test the new technologies in a reallife scenario and see how they can benefit from any cost and efficiency gains by implementing these on their own boats.

Through stakeholder workshops and policy engagement, SEAGLOW also gives the opportunity to fishers to contribute to the reports that are to be delivered to the EU-Commission aiming at advising and influencing future sustainable EU practices and policies within the fishing industry.

 

 

Photo Credits:

Hanne Bregendahl Pihl @NorthDenmark EU-Office

Anna-Katharina – Norway @Len Duevel

 

*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.