Post #52: Tech-Driven Fisheries – Three UK Startups Supporting Coastal Communities 🇬🇧
- henry belfiori
- Feb 21
- 5 min read
First off—thank you for reading OceanTech Insider!
This week, I’m looking at how UK startups are using technology to support fisheries and coastal communities, helping them stay competitive, sustainable, and profitable.
The UK has for long now been a leader in innovation, but the startup ecosystem is at a crossroads. With the new Labour government’s policies focusing on investment in green technology and scaling R&D, there’s optimism, but also uncertainty about how this will translate into funding and support for blue tech entrepreneurs (specifically, investor interest). While marine conservation and fisheries tech haven’t been top of the political agenda, the broader push for climate action and sustainability suggests we could see more funding streams open up.
Despite this, UK startups aren’t waiting for policy clarity—they’re forging ahead, building solutions that tackle marine pollution, enable smarter fisheries, and empower coastal communities. Today, I’m showcasing three UK startups I found noteworthy.
The UK Startup Innovation Landscape in Fisheries & Coastal Communities
The UK has a rich maritime history, but today’s fisheries face new challenges—climate change, overfishing, supply chain inefficiencies, and competition from industrial fleets. Coastal communities, often heavily reliant on fishing, are economically vulnerable, needing new tools and technology to stay competitive.
The startup ecosystem in marine and fisheries tech is still relatively small compared to fintech or AI, but it’s gaining traction, thanks to:
Growing investor interest in the blue economy, particularly in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
Government-backed R&D incentives, though many marine tech startups argue these are still too broad and not sector-specific enough.
Advances in AI, IoT, and data analytics, making tech adoption in fisheries more affordable and scalable.
While there’s momentum, startups in this space struggle with fragmented funding, limited public awareness, and a need for stronger collaboration between tech developers, fishers, and regulators.
Despite these challenges, several startups are pushing forward, blending technology with practical solutions for fisheries and coastal economies. Let’s take a look at three leading the way.
Three UK Startups Transforming Fisheries & Coastal Communities
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The UK’s fishing industry is evolving, and technology is playing a major role in shaping its future. From sustainable aquaculture to reducing plastic waste and improving market access for small-scale fishers, startups are stepping in to modernise traditional industries.
These three UK-based startups are at the forefront of this shift, using data, IoT, and circular economy models to drive innovation in fisheries and coastal economies.
Aqsen Innovations – Enhancing Aquaculture Through Smart Monitoring
Company Overview: Aqsen Innovations is a London-based startup dedicated to improving aquaculture practices. They have developed 'Aquasense,' a cutting-edge sensor system designed to monitor water quality in fish farming environments. This technology provides real-time data on critical parameters such as pH levels, oxygen concentration, and pollutant presence, enabling fish farmers to maintain optimal conditions for their stock.
Impact on Coastal Communities:
Disease Prevention: By ensuring water quality remains within ideal ranges, Aquasense helps prevent disease outbreaks, reducing fish mortality rates and enhancing yield.
Economic Stability: Healthier fish stocks lead to increased productivity and profitability for fish farmers, bolstering the economic resilience of coastal communities reliant on aquaculture.
Sustainable Practices: Continuous monitoring allows for proactive management, promoting sustainable aquaculture practices that lessen environmental impact.
Funding and Growth: While specific funding details for Aqsen Innovations are not publicly disclosed, the company's focus on leveraging technology to address critical challenges in aquaculture positions it well for attracting investment aimed at sustainable food production and environmental conservation.
Fishy Filaments – Pioneering Recycling in the Fishing Industry
Company Overview: Founded in 2016 by Ian Falconer, Fishy Filaments is a Cornwall-based startup addressing the environmental issue of discarded fishing nets. The company has developed a proprietary, chemical-free process to recycle these nets into high-quality nylon suitable for 3D printing and manufacturing applications. Operating from their prototype plant in Newlyn harbour, they transform end-of-life nets into valuable materials, contributing to a circular economy.
Impact on Coastal Communities:
Pollution Reduction: By recycling fishing nets, the company mitigates marine pollution, protecting local ecosystems and the fishing industry's long-term viability.
Economic Diversification: The recycled nylon has attracted interest from major manufacturers, including Ford and Mercedes-Benz, creating new revenue streams and job opportunities in coastal areas.
Sustainable Practices: Fishy Filaments' approach encourages responsible disposal of fishing gear, fostering environmental stewardship within the fishing community.
Funding and Growth: Fishy Filaments has successfully raised nearly £1 million through crowdfunding campaigns, grants from Cornwall Council, government-backed loans, and research tax credits. In August 2024, they secured over £114,000 to expand their operations with a commercial plant capable of processing 20 tonnes of nets annually. The company plans to scale further by selling automated recycling plants globally, aiming to reduce the number of nets ending up in landfills and oceans.
Pesky Fish – Revolutionising the Seafood Supply Chain
Company Overview: Pesky Fish is a UK-based startup transforming how seafood reaches consumers. Their digital platform connects small-scale fishers directly with buyers, including restaurants and individual consumers, streamlining the supply chain and ensuring transparency. By providing real-time data on available catches, Pesky Fish enables fishers to sell their products quickly and at fair prices, while customers receive fresh, traceable seafood.
Impact on Coastal Communities:
Fair Compensation: By eliminating intermediaries, fishers retain a larger share of profits, enhancing their livelihoods and supporting local economies.
Market Access: The platform opens new markets for small-scale fishers, allowing them to reach a broader customer base and reduce reliance on traditional, often restrictive, distribution channels.
Sustainable Fishing: Real-time sales data helps fishers align their catches with demand, reducing overfishing and promoting sustainable practices.
Funding and Growth: While specific funding details for Pesky Fish are not publicly available, the company's innovative approach to seafood distribution has garnered attention within the industry. Their model aligns with growing consumer demand for transparency and sustainability, positioning them for potential investment opportunities aimed at ethical food sourcing and supply chain innovation.
Each of these startups addresses a different challenge in UK fisheries, but they all share a common goal—making the industry more sustainable, profitable, and resilient for coastal communities. By leveraging technology, circular economy principles, and smart data systems, they are not just protecting marine ecosystems but also creating economic opportunities for those who depend on the ocean.
Final Remarks
The UK’s fishing industry is at a turning point, with startups like Aqsen Innovations, Fishy Filaments, and Pesky Fish leading the way in creating sustainable, tech-driven solutions that benefit both the environment and local economies.
Each of these companies tackles a different challenge:
Aqsen Innovations helps aquaculture farms thrive through real-time water monitoring, ensuring healthier fish stocks and increased resilience for coastal economies.
Fishy Filaments is turning marine plastic waste into valuable resources, tackling pollution while creating new revenue streams for the fishing industry.
Pesky Fish is revolutionising seafood distribution, cutting out middlemen and empowering small-scale fishers with better prices and direct market access.
Together, they highlight the growing role of technology in preserving marine ecosystems while keeping fisheries profitable. As the UK government continues to shape policies around green innovation and sustainability, it’s essential that marine and fisheries tech receives the investment and support it needs to scale.
What’s next? The blue economy is gaining momentum, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on new funding opportunities, emerging startups, and evolving regulations that could impact this space. If you know of a startup doing great work in marine tech and fisheries, let’s connect—I’d love to feature them next. 🚀🌊
Thanks for reading! See you next week. 💙🇬🇧
Warm wishes
H
Sources:
Sources for Section 1: The UK Startup Innovation Landscape in Fisheries & Coastal Communities
Sources for Section 2: Three UK Startups Transforming Fisheries & Coastal Communities
Aqsen Innovations – Smart Water Quality Monitoring for Aquaculturehttps://www.seafoodsource.com/news/aquaculture/uk-startup-to-trial-aquaculture-sensor-on-lake-victoria
Fishy Filaments – Recycling Fishing Nets for a Circular Economyhttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cornish-start-up-turns-fishing-nets-into-3d-printing-materialsy-enterprise-network-wrlqll3hd
Pesky Fish – A Digital Marketplace for Transparent, Fair Fishing Tradehttps://techround.co.uk/startups/top-10-startups-helping-us-navigate-the-oceanhttps://startupsavant.com/news/5-ocean-startups
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