The targets form part of a wider effort by the Danish Pelagic Producers Organisation (DPPO) and its members to strengthen the use of science, data and documentation in fisheries management.
“Setting targets allows us to set a clear direction for the work ahead, and for us to transform nature ambitions into measurable actions. An important part of our strategy is reducing our negative interactions with marine habitats through the development and use of advanced technologies. SBTN targets help us commit to our strategy and ambition and demonstrate real impact and change,” says Karsten Mølgaard, owner of HG 333 Isafold.
Protecting structural habitats
Isafold has set two targets relating to structural marine habitats.
By 2028, Isafold will implement Type 42 Bluestream pelagic controllable trawldoors in its Sandeel and Sprat fisheries* to minimise seabed interaction in the target fishing ICES area 4B, compared to a 2025 baseline.
* Trawl doors with fully controllable hydraulic foils will be used in all of the above fisheries with a risk of bottom contact.
The second target builds on Isafold’s participation in the Fully Documented Fishery initiative:
Isafold will engage* in the Ocean Data Network (ODN) and Fishing Vessel Observing Network (FVON) in 2026 to improve the understanding on how hydrographic conditions are changing at particularly valuable habitats, spawning grounds, and nursery grounds relevant to Sandeel and Sprat fisheries by 2028 compared to 2025.
* Examples of Isafold engagement is their collaboration with scientific institutions and ICES member institutions in an Ocean Data Network (ODN) and Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing Network (FVON) to contribute with data to produce high resolution models in the North Sea.
The Fully Documented Fishery initiative uses electronic monitoring and data from fishing operations to strengthen documentation and knowledge about fisheries. The SBTN target builds on this work by focusing specifically on improving the evidence base concerning valuable habitats, spawning grounds and nursery grounds relevant to Isafold’s sandeel and sprat fisheries.
Reducing risks to marine wildlife
HG 333 Isafold has also set targets addressing risks to endangered, threatened and protected marine wildlife.
By 2029, Isafold will implement gear improvements and operational avoidance to reduce risk of negative impacts to Harbor Seals, Grey Seals and Harbor Porpoise compared to a 2026 baseline in Sandeel, Sprat and Herring fisheries in ICES area 4B.
In addition, Isafold will contribute to improving knowledge and management through its engagement in the Optifish project:
Isafold will engage in the Optifish project from (2026) to improve the evidence base and management measures for ETP species in the Sandeel, Sprat and Herring fisheries in ICES area 4B, between 2026 and 2029.
From targets to action
The targets are a starting point for continued action and development. The coming years will focus on implementing the targets, strengthening the evidence base and continuing the development and testing of practical solutions at sea.
For DPPO, the work also provides valuable experience with how science-based targets for nature can be translated into concrete action in commercial pelagic fisheries.
“We believe that better management starts with better data. Our members have already invested significantly in documenting their fishing operations through our Fully Documented Fisheries program. The SBTN process gives us another way of turning that documentation into concrete and measurable action for marine nature,” says Esben Sverdrup-Jensen, CEO of DPPO.
Isafold’s validated targets and supporting information are available in the SBTN Target Tracker: https://sciencebasedtargetsnetwork.org/company/target-tracker
About the SBTN Ocean Pilot
The Science Based Targets Network’s Ocean Pilot is developing and testing methods that enable companies to set science-based targets addressing their impacts and dependencies on marine nature. Isafold participated in the pilot with support from the Danish Pelagic Producers Organisation and WSP.
