Our story

Our story

It all began in 2014 with the idea that smaller species in the ocean such as Krill, and other zooplankton or mesopelagic species, could be attracted to light before being pumped whole and alive onboard a vessel.The idea came from our founders' experiences as a Navy diver and knowledge of Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) used in the ocean. To catch such small species, traditional fishing techniques such as trawling require high energy consumption with a subsequently large carbon footprint. If utilised in complex ecosystems with higher species diversity it greatly elevates the possibility for vast amounts of unwanted bycatch. I.e. not good for preserving the biodiversity of our oceans. In addition, bottom trawling and ghost fishing due to lost or damaged fishing gear have massive detrimental effects on the marine environment.

2015 & 2016 - early prototype testing

The concept, “Light Attracts Krill” was first tested using a garage-built prototype. The prototype was based on an ROV whose operation was very labour intensive as the equipment had to be launched and retrieved using a crane and manpower. The light frequency used on the prototype was designed to mimic the Krill's natural bioluminescence. The Icelandic Marine & Freshwater Research institute (MRFI) joined us onboard the vessel to observe the initial tests. They were eager to learn more and carry out visual checks for bycatch. The tests were deemed a success as video footage demonstrates. The Krill was attracted to the light and subsequently pumped whole and alive on board the vessel. Importantly, the MFRI confirmed there was no relevant bycatch. Proof of concept achieved!

2017 & 2018 - HARVISHER® I

With proof of concept in hand, it was time to seek external investment and a strategic Icelandic fishing partner. The next step was to fully automate HARVISH® ocean technology. Together with Z-Marine AS and Inventas AS we created the first fully automated commercial scale prototype which was constructed and tested in Norway in preparation for the upcoming expeditions in Ísafjarðardjúp, Iceland.

We chartered the Norwegian vessel M/F Røstnesvåg and HARVISH® was installed onboard. The vessel set sail for Icelandic waters in summer 2018 for two expeditions to be carried out in Ísafjarðardjúp. The first took place in July (2 weeks) and the second in August (the entire month). MFRI were, as previously, always present onboard to oversee the expeditions. They were responsible for performing tests for bycatch every 2 hours of fishing and ensuring that the expeditions were being carried out in line with the given research permits. Any failure to comply with the stringent criteria in the research permit would have resulted in the MFRI terminating the expeditions immediately. MFRI produced two reports, one for each expedition. The final report stated that HARVISHER® I achieved a total bycatch of 0.2% for the entire final test period. A massive achievement as the testing had been carried out in a fjord where the probability for bycatch of fish eggs, larvae and juveniles was at its highest. The MFRI also identified the species of Krill caught; Thysanoessa Inermis and Thysanoessa Raschii were dominant, but Meganyctiphanes Norvegica and Thysanoessa Longicaudata were also caught. Click here to view the development of HARVISH® from early prototyping in 2015, to fully automated commercial scale testing in 2018.

2019, 2020 & 2021 - HARVISHER® II

In 2019, the HARVISHER® unit underwent an enhanced redesign process using the observations and experience gained from the Icelandic expeditions of 2018. To improve the catch rate/efficiency, key learning points were 3-dimensional design, increased lumen, improved suction and how to locate the catch in comparison to the location of the HARVISHER®. At the time of the redesign, we felt that it was necessary to come up with a brand name that defines all that we do and the revolutionary nature of our ocean technology. To this end, our product, technology and ethos will be defined by the word HARVISH®, a registered trademark which encapsulates the nature of both harvesting and fishing in one easy to remember word. Early 2020, the Norwegian Fisheries Directorate announced the winners of 8 of the 10 licenses to fish the copepod Calanus Finmarchicus (Calanus) and the last two licenses were awarded halfway through 2020. The opening of this new commercial fishery posed an interesting opportunity for HARVISH®! As a result, talks with several interested parties came about and plans for adapting the HARVISHER® for catching Calanus were made. By the end of 2020 we secured a partner, who held one of the ten licenses to fish Calanus and was very keen on testing HARVISHER® II. A formal grant application was filed with Innovation Norway to help fund the construction of HARVISHER® II and subsequent testing on Calanus in waters surrounding the island Frøya, Norway. The Innovation Norway application was granted in June 2021, HARVISHER® II was subsequently constructed and sea trials for Calanus took place outside Frøya in summer 2021. In February 2021, the Institute of Marine Research published an article about the work their marine researcher Bjørn Krafft and hisDanish colleague Ludvig A. Krag from DTU Aqua had carried out onboard a vessel in the South Antarctic. They had studied the behavioural aspects of Krill when introduced to weaker LED-lights. The subsequent scientific research paper confirms our observations from the early development HARVISH®, Krill are attracted to light!