Efficiency management in catch handling onboard small boats – Standardisation of processes in Icelandic fisheries

Abstract

• Icelandic small boat fishers central to economic prosperity of remote communities. • Applied research methods used to develop exemplar standards for onboard catch handling. • Eight recommendations formed relating to safety, ergonomics, hygiene and fish handling. • Adoption of recommendations could lead to gains in time and resource efficiency. • Standardisation also likely to reap benefits in at least five Sustainable Development Goals. Small boat fishers are often the lifeblood of remote coastal communities in Iceland, contributing to employment, jobs and economic prosperity. This study conducts exploratory but highly practical research into the productive efficiency of onboard catch handling practices by Icelandic small boat fishers using fish handling tools called automatic jigging machines. Using applied research methods, this study researches whether standardisation of operations could be applied to make catch handling practices on small boats more time and resource efficient, leading to reduced waste, a consistently higher quality product, and potential increases in economic efficiency and sustainability. Thematic analysis, value stream mapping, flow analysis and Kaizen ideology were adopted to identify gaps and continuous improvement opportunities to standardise processes, leading to exemplary performance. Eight core recommendations are identified, seven of which are classed as straight-forward, ‘do now’ measures according to a Kaizen Priority Matrix. These include human and technological interventions in the areas of safety, organisational arrangements, hygiene, fish handling and bleeding, and cooling. Questionnaire responses reveal four main themes of importance to the sub-sector: changes in recent decades; the importance of small boat fishers; education and improvement; and the particularities of the sub-industry. The latter include the perception of a ‘race against time’ to land the catch, an issue that sometimes contributes to sub-optimal catch handling practices. Although this study has decidedly practical connotations for small boat fishers, its outcomes are also likely to be of interest to academics, particularly those focused on the organisational management of natural resources and general applications of the project management methodology and applied research methods as a means of solving practical problems in everyday life.