The Blue Economy - CASE 85: Fishing sailboat
This article introduces a fresh approach to the design of fishing boats as one of the
100 innovations that shape The Blue Economy, known as ZERIʼs philosophy in action. This article is part of a broad effort by the author and the designer of the Blue Economy to stimulate open-source entrepreneurship, competitiveness and employment. Researched, Written and Updated by Professor Gunter Pauli.
The Blue Economy Inspired Series
Sailing Towards a Blue Economy:
How Fishing Sailboats are Transforming Sustainability
in the Fishing Industry
Written by; Shelley Tsang, 2024.
With oceans under immense pressure due to overfishing and pollution, the fishing industry is at a critical juncture, needing innovative solutions to continue providing essential resources sustainably. Traditional fishing practices have not only threatened marine biodiversity but have also contributed to significant carbon emissions due to reliance on fossil fuels. Eric Le Quéré and Marethix Industries have responded to this challenge with an innovative fishing catamaran design that runs entirely on renewable energy, redefining the possibilities for the fishing industry in alignment with the principles of a Blue Economy.
Market Dynamics and the Fishing Industry
Fishing remains a substantial global industry, with approximately 93.3 million tons of fish landed annually from wild fisheries, valued at around $150 billion. Additionally, fish farming adds another 48.1 million tons, collectively serving as a primary protein source for many populations. However, with more than 70% of the world’s fisheries already overexploited, a shift towards more sustainable practices is not merely beneficial but essential. As the largest players, such as China, Peru, and Japan, continue to drive demand, this innovation offers a new direction for a global industry with deep economic, cultural, and ecological significance.
The Innovation: A Hybrid Fishing Catamaran
Marethix’s fishing catamaran is designed to operate with zero emissions, relying on a hybrid propulsion system that combines solar power, wind energy, and hydropower from ocean currents. The vessel is equipped with four rigid sails that rotate 360 degrees, allowing it to harness wind energy effectively. Additionally, four sets of solar panels provide a secondary power source, and underwater turbines convert ocean currents into electricity, creating a fully sustainable and resilient energy system. Made from 100% recycled aluminium, the boat embodies circular economy principles, showing that sustainability can be integrated across all stages of production and operation.
This vessel’s netting technology targets only specific species, like sardines, leaving other fish and marine species unharmed. This not only helps protect biodiversity but also enhances the economic value of the catch by focusing on high-value, sustainably sourced products. Morocco has already placed an order for six of these innovative boats, reflecting their confidence in this model’s potential to support sustainable growth.
Economic and Environmental Impacts
Each fishing sailboat can save approximately 250,000 litres of heavy fuel oil annually, reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and generating around 1,000 tons of carbon credits per vessel. This innovation doesn’t just contribute to environmental sustainability; it also brings tangible financial benefits. The carbon credits generated can be sold, providing additional revenue to support further expansion and investments in sustainable technology. Additionally, the boat’s onboard fish processing capabilities eliminate the need for extensive shore-based facilities, adding value to the catch and reducing post-catch handling costs.
New Approaches to Market Integration
These fishing catamarans are ideally positioned to meet the growing demand for sustainable seafood and fish-derived health supplements, such as Omega-3 oils, which are increasingly popular for their health benefits. Marethix has designed these boats with built-in facilities to process the catch onboard, creating ready-to-eat, value-added products. This ability to vertically integrate the supply chain enables producers to achieve higher margins, making sustainability an economically viable choice.
Another novel idea could be to position the boats as data-collection centres, equipped with sensors and AI-enabled systems that gather information on fish populations, water quality, and biodiversity in real-time. By feeding this data to marine researchers and governments, these vessels could also contribute to ocean health monitoring and inform policy for better fishery management.
Blue Economy Synergies: Beyond Fishing
The impact of Marethix’s model extends beyond the fishing industry, creating synergies within a Blue Economy. The boats can also contribute to coastal communities, where jobs are often reliant on local natural resources. By partnering with local communities in Morocco and beyond, Marethix can ensure that knowledge transfer and skill-building support a new generation of sustainable entrepreneurs. Coastal areas can benefit economically from constructing and maintaining these boats, supporting jobs in boatbuilding, renewable energy, and fish processing.
A new expansion idea could include deploying a small fleet of these vessels as mobile processing centres for local small-scale fishers who lack such capabilities. By sharing facilities and offering access to clean, renewable-powered processing options, local fishers could enhance their product offerings and achieve better market prices, creating a sustainable micro-economy centred on community-led fishing initiatives.
Scaling Impact Through Policy and Partnerships
As Marethix’s model gains traction, partnerships with governments, NGOs, and environmental organizations will be critical to scale its impact. Incentives, such as tax breaks for eco-friendly practices, could further encourage the adoption of sustainable technologies across the fishing industry. Government partnerships may also streamline access to fishing permits or create quotas for fish caught using sustainable methods, incentivizing traditional fishers to transition to eco-friendly models.
Furthermore, the introduction of eco-labelling could help consumers identify sustainably sourced products, ensuring that the benefits of sustainable fishing reach consumers directly and support market demand. Building collaborations with marine conservation organizations could also open avenues for corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, where a portion of sales supports ocean cleanup or biodiversity protection projects.
A Model for Global Fisheries
Marethix’s fishing catamaran could inspire fishing industries globally to adopt more sustainable models. By creating an eco-friendly alternative that outperforms conventional fishing boats economically, environmentally, and operationally, Marethix has demonstrated the possibility of a future in fishing that doesn’t compromise the health of our oceans. With roughly 4 million fishing vessels operating worldwide, even a small adoption rate of this model could significantly reduce the industry’s environmental footprint and help restore fish populations, creating a regenerative rather than extractive relationship with the ocean.
Conclusion
The fishing sailboat from Marethix Industries offers a new direction for the future of fisheries, one that balances economic prosperity with ecological responsibility. As governments and consumers alike prioritize sustainable solutions, this innovation is poised to lead the way toward a Blue Economy that values biodiversity, community well-being, and a healthy planet. By advancing beyond traditional practices and embracing technological integration, the fishing industry has the opportunity to transform into a model of resilience and sustainability, ensuring that oceans remain abundant for future generations.
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