Tuesday 28 December 1999

Fishermen Safety Initiative Wins EU and Oil Industry Funding

Production of an electronic safety device which could significantly reduce the risk of fishermens nets becoming caught on pipelines, wellheads and other underwater obstacles has been given the green light, thanks to European and oil industry funding, it was announced today (Tuesday, 28 December, 1999).

The grants, totalling £345,000, will subsidise the production of three hundred devices, known as FishSafe, effectively cutting the final cost to fishermen by over two thirds. The device which was successfully tested at sea during the summer - will be available from March next year when it will be launched, with the full backing of the fishing federations, at Fishing 2000 in Glasgow, the industrys annual conference and exhibition.

The costs are being largely met by the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), the representative body for the offshore oil and gas companies, which is allocating £200,000 towards the initiative, and the European Commissions PESCA programme, co-ordinated by Aberdeenshire Council, which is contributing £120,000. The Scottish Fishermens Federation (SFF) is providing a further £25,000. All fishermen will be able to buy FishSafe for around £500 but it is hoped that this cost will be reduced if bids for other European funding are successful.

A database of all known subsea obstacles in UK waters - currently being completed by the Seafish Industry Authority and known as the Kingfisher Seabed Data will be used by SeaFish in conjunction with the electronic navigation systems already employed at sea, to guide fishermen away from underwater structures as well as exclusion zones around subsea facilities. The obstacles are displayed on the FishSafe screen which is installed in the wheelhouse. If a fishing vessel strays within a 6-mile radius of any such obstacle, audio and visual alarms are triggered which increase in intensity the closer the obstacle gets.

FishSafe was developed jointly by the oil and fishing industries in response to the recommendations of the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the loss MV Westhaven in 1997 as a result of nets becoming trapped on a pipeline. The FishSafe initiative is an example of how two industries can work together, pooling information and technology to enhance safety and reduce risk, said Dr John Wils, UKOOAs Director of Operational and Technical Affairs.

Mr Alex Smith, President of the SFF, said: FishSafe will be a significant step forward in creating a safer working environment for our fishermen while carrying out their fishing activities in the vicinity of sub sea installations.

Mr Dave Bevan of the NFFO, said: Through UKOOA more and more seabed information relating to oil/gas development is being made available for the fishing industry. The development and introduction of FishSafe should make snagging on wellheads, pipelines, etc on the UKCS almost a thing of the past.

Mrs Ann Bell, PESCA Co-ordinator at Aberdeenshire Council, said: Aberdeenshire Council is delighted to support this important safety initiative which is a positive example of two industries trying to work together.

Note to Editors

1. Please see Support Material Briefing Documents for FishSafes technical specifications.

2. The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is the representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry. Its 30 member companies are licensed by Government to explore for and produce oil and gas in UK waters.

3. PESCA is a European initiative established to help fishing dependent areas adjust to changes and challenges facing the Industry.

4. The development costs of FishSafe include a £300,000 grant from UKOOA to the Seafish Industry Authority over three years to develop the Kingfisher Seabed Data, as well as £150,000 to design and build the prototype.

See also media briefing 'Fish Safe - A New Initiative to avoid Subsea Infrastructure '.

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.