Fishtek Marine
Based in Tasmania, Ben started working with Fishtek Marine in 2009. He has vast experience working in fisheries around the world and practical on-board knowledge in a range of gear types. He is focused on working collaboratively with fishermen to develop and test technical mitigation measures to reduce bycatch of non-target species. Ben received his Ph.D from the University of Queensland and was later awarded a 2010 Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation for his work to reduce seabird bycatch. He was Coordinator of Birdlife International’s Marine Programme for over a decade and has been actively involved with the work of the Agreement for the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels (ACAP) and the implementation of the FAO National Plan of Action-Seabirds.
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Fishtek Marine
Fishtek Marine is a unique company which draws together a valuable combination of award-winning engineers and fisheries scientists. This talented team focuses its expertise and energy on developing and distributing a range of innovative technical devices which are proven to minimise bycatch in commercial fisheries.The company was first establishedin 1999 by the Kibel brothers. Pete (a fisheries biologist) and Ben (an engineer), initially wanted to use their understanding of behavioural ecology and engineering options to develop technological solutions to the significant issue of marine bycatch. Since then the company has expanded and now has a base in the UK and one in Australia. The number of Fishtek Marine tried-and-tested products continues to grow, and the devices are sold to happy customers all over the world. Trials using Fishtek Marine devices contribute to the emerging independent evidence base which is showing that smart fishing, using dedicated technology, is effective at minimising marine bycatch, supporting more sustainable fishing, and helping safeguard some of the world’s critically endangered species.