As the sun begins to set, I find myself standing on the deck of a commercial fishing boat, surrounded by the rhythmic lapping of waves and the salty tang of the ocean air. It’s a far cry from my usual desk job, but here I am, about to embark on a journey of discovery – one that will shed light on the future of sustainable fishing.
The Fishing Industry’s Plastic Problem
Fishing has always been a tough and demanding industry, and the captains and crews I’ve met are some of the hardiest, most resilient people you’ll ever come across. But even these salt-of-the-earth types are grappling with a growing environmental challenge: the staggering amount of plastic waste generated by their operations.
You see, when these trawlers head out to sea in search of halibut, tuna, and swordfish, the fishermen spend countless hours painstakingly attaching glow sticks to their hooks and nets. These glowing beacons help the fish see the bait, but they also end up becoming a massive source of oceanic pollution. Thousands and thousands of these single-use plastic sticks are simply tossed overboard once the catch is hauled in, adding to the already dire situation in our seas.
As Arizona State University biologist Jesse Senko puts it, “It’s a cost of doing business, like fuel or bait, and it adds to the tremendous amount of plastic trash in the world’s oceans.”
A Bright Idea is Born
But what if there was a better way? What if we could replace those wasteful glow sticks with something more sustainable? That’s the question that led Senko on a mission to find a solution – one that would not only reduce plastic pollution but also help fishermen save money and prevent the unintentional bycatch of endangered species.
The answer, it seems, lies in the power of the sun. Senko has been working on developing solar-powered lights that can be attached to fishing lines and nets, providing the same visibility for the fish without the environmental downside.
“Imagine something different: miniaturized solar-powered lights on longlines and nets that charge on the deck, cut back on labor, save money, and don’t end up contributing to marine pollution,” Senko explains. “They’ll also save bycatch.”
Saving Endangered Species, One Light at a Time
Bycatch – the term used to describe the unintended capture of non-target marine animals like sea turtles and sharks – has long been a thorn in the side of the fishing industry. But Senko’s solar-powered lights could be the key to solving this problem.
In his research, Senko found that by placing battery-powered lights on gillnets in Baja California, Mexico, he was able to reduce sea turtle bycatch by 50% and shark bycatch by an incredible 90%. The turtles could see the nets and avoid them, while the sharks were simply turned off by the bright lights.
“What I found was fishermen would not use the lights because of the batteries,” Senko explains. “They only lasted a week, and they were also expensive to fishermen who went out in boats the size of a conference table and used handheld GPS units. Replacing them on a wet deck was another problem.”
But Senko wasn’t about to give up. He knew that if he could crack the code of solar-powered fishing lights, he’d not only be reducing plastic pollution, but also helping to save endangered marine species.
Partnering for a Brighter Future
To make his vision a reality, Senko has teamed up with the experts at Arizona State University’s Solar Power Laboratory and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries. Together, they’re working to develop a solar-powered lighting system that can withstand the harsh conditions of the open ocean and provide reliable illumination for hours on end.
As Stuart Bowden, an associate research professor at ASU’s School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, explains, “Jesse provided us with a new challenge as saltwater is really hard on any electronics, and we also need to be able to survive the pounding of the ocean.”
But the team is undaunted. They’re driven by the potential environmental benefits of this technology, and they’re confident that they can overcome the technical hurdles.
“The solar panels have to emit enough energy to light up gear for 12 hours with potentially minutes of charging time,” Bowden says. “Solar-panel engineers believe the concept is workable.”
A Win-Win-Win Solution
As Senko sees it, his mission is to solve a multitude of problems while simultaneously creating new opportunities for fishermen. “You’re reducing global plastic pollution,” he says. “You’re increasing renewable energy use. You’re saving endangered species, primarily turtles and sharks. It’s a cleaner fishery. And you’re helping fishermen who are always blamed.”
Indeed, this solar-powered lighting solution could be a game-changer for the industry. Not only will it help fishermen save money on costly and wasteful glow sticks, but it will also give them a powerful marketing tool to tout the sustainability of their catch.
As the demand for eco-friendly seafood continues to grow, these solar-powered lights could be the key to unlocking new, lucrative markets for fishermen – from local coastal restaurants to major chains like Target, McDonald’s, and Whole Foods.
“Everywhere from coastal restaurants to mega chains like Target, McDonald’s, and Whole Foods tout sustainably caught seafood because consumers want it,” Senko explains. “Fishing gear that doesn’t add to marine trash and helps prevent endangered bycatch helps earn that label. They’re doing it because they can make money off of it. People want it. There is more demand than there is supply.”
Shining a Light on the Future
As I step back onto dry land, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and optimism for the future of the fishing industry. With innovative thinkers like Jesse Senko leading the charge, it’s clear that solar-powered lighting solutions hold the key to a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.
By harnessing the power of the sun, we can not only reduce plastic pollution and protect endangered species, but also empower fishermen to thrive in an ever-evolving market. It’s a win-win-win scenario that’s just waiting to be realized.
So, let’s keep our eyes on the horizon and continue to explore these bright ideas that will shape the future of energy-saving products and sustainable fishing. The possibilities are as endless as the ocean itself.