Menu

Who are Fishtek Marine?

We are Conservation Engineers. By developing technology that reduces the impact of fisheries and marine operations, we help safeguard some of our most vulnerable and iconic marine wildlife.  

HOW DO WE DO THIS?

We enable sustainable fishing.

Over the last two decades, we’ve designed and developed a unique suite of devices that limit the negative impacts of fisheries and marine operations, and this technology has been tested and proven in the harshest of environments. 

We are naturally collaborative .

We start with the end user. Collaborative development ensures that our technology is seamlessly integrated into operations. We bring together knowledge from academics, specialist engineers and experienced fishers to develop and test our devices.

We’re at the heart of industry.

Whether we’re on tuna vessels in the Pacific, shellfish boats in the North Sea, working to resolve turtle bycatch in Cyprus or with energy companies in the Severn estuary, we are out there listening, learning and thinking about how to improve our designs and potential impact.

We thrive on challenge

Scientific and technical challenge is what drives us every day. Over the years, many of our products have evolved out of discussions with fishers, marine operators and scientists – people who’ve come to us with a problem they want to solve. So if we can help you with an issue in your fishery, please get in touch.  

THE FISHTEK TIMELINE

2013

Ben and Pete Kibel working with Dr Ben Sullivan at Birdlife International develop the Hookpod and incorporate Hookpod Ltd

2014

SharkGuard concept first conceived initiating years of prototype development.

2016

Fishtek Marine Ltd is established. 

2016

Launch of ProGlow as an alternative to single use chemical glow sticks. 

2017

Banana Pinger design is finalised. Fishtek Marine pioneers the development of ‘seal-safe’ acoustic technology and enhances bycatch reduction through innovative acoustics.

2018

Ben Kibel receives the Ocean Innovation Award for the ‘Proglow’. 

2019

PotLight launched, developed in response to industry demand for a reliable deep-set fishing light for snow crab fisheries. 

2019

NetLight introduced, following collaboration with the University of Exeter and the Society for the Protection of Turtles seeking an easy-to-deploy gillnet light to help reduce turtle bycatch.  

2021

Pete and Ben Kibel named as finalists for European Inventor Award 2021. 

2021

Cornish trials identify potential for scallop potting, initiating further research and development – see here for more information. 

2023

Launch of ScallopLight and PotLight Pro, following extensive testing and field trials. 

2024

Introduction of the ScallopEye Entrance 

2025

Development of fish deterrents for EDF’s Hinkley C nuclear reactor  cooling water intakes

WE ARE GLOBAL LEADERS IN BYCATCH PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY

 

Bycatch, the unintentional capture of non-target species, is a problem that is largely out of sight and out of mind, yet has been identified as the primary threat for many iconic marine species.   

Our ambition is to see bycatch rates halved in global fisheries by 2040.   

For many species such as the Burmeister’s porpoise on the Pacific coast of South America, time is running out to halt a dramatic decline and avoid hugely expensive rearguard action. By creating products targeted to prevent bycatch of this important species, we support local fishers in maintaining their livelihoods whilst helping porpoise numbers to recover.   

We are determined to keep raising the profile of fisheries bycatch and help mobilise funding and finance, providing smart solutions and expert support.    

We use third-party cookies to personalise content and analyse site traffic.

View our Privacy Policy