SAFETYNET TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED

Their core work

SafetyNet Technologies develops smart fishing gear solutions designed to reduce unwanted bycatch and help fishing fleets comply with discard regulations. Their core work centres on sensor-equipped fishing devices that allow crews to selectively catch target species while releasing non-target fish. The company bridges the gap between fisheries regulation and practical on-vessel technology, offering tools that save fishers money on quota penalties while protecting marine ecosystems. As a focused technology SME, they bring hardware and sensor expertise directly into large EU fisheries research consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

SafetyNet's trajectory shows a clear progression from policy-driven research participation to technology product development. Their early involvement in DiscardLess (2015) was as a participant in a broad research consortium studying discard elimination strategies. By 2017, they launched their own SME Phase 1 project (PISCES) to commercialise bycatch reduction technology, and by 2018 they joined SMARTFISH contributing specific sensor and gear technology expertise. The shift is from learning within large fisheries policy projects to offering concrete, sensor-based products.

SafetyNet is moving from research participation toward commercialising sensor-equipped selective fishing gear, making them increasingly relevant as a technology supplier rather than just a research partner.

How they like to work

SafetyNet operates primarily as a specialist technology contributor within large consortia — their two participant roles were in projects with broad partnerships (46 unique partners across 14 countries). They coordinated one small SME Phase 1 project (PISCES), indicating ambition to lead their own innovation track. For potential partners, expect a focused contributor who brings specific gear/sensor hardware expertise rather than project management capacity.

Despite only three projects, SafetyNet has built connections with 46 unique partners across 14 countries, reflecting their participation in large EU fisheries consortia. Their network is concentrated in European maritime nations with strong fishing industries.

What sets them apart

SafetyNet occupies a rare niche as a technology SME building actual hardware for selective fishing — most fisheries projects involve research institutes or policy bodies, not product-focused companies. Their combination of sensor engineering and deep understanding of fishing crew needs makes them a practical bridge between lab research and on-vessel deployment. For consortium builders, they offer something hard to find: a small company that can turn fisheries research into equipment fishers will actually use.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PISCES
  Their own SME Phase 1 project — demonstrates entrepreneurial drive to commercialise bycatch reduction technology independently.
• SMARTFISH
  Largest funding (€80,676) and most recent project, showing their maturation into a recognised smart fisheries technology provider within a major consortium.