Meet the inventor fishing for sustainable seas on World Oceans Day

The world’s ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It supports humanity and Earth’s organisms, big and small. Not only does it support our existence scientifically but through global economies it’s estimated 40 million people will work in ocean-based industries by 2030. [Source: United Nations].

The industrial impact on our oceans and drive to sustainable fishing caught Dan Watson’s eye, the 2012 winner of the James Dyson Award, when studying at university. His winning entry, SafetyNet is a light that fits onto fishing gear to combat unwanted fish and marine creatures trapped in commercial fishing nets. Over 10 years on, “SafetyNet is global now, we work all over the world. We’re starting to lead I would say in the fishing industry”, says Dan. Casting the net wider, he’s founded his company SafetyNet Technologies, delivering pioneering technology and support to build a better, sustainable fishing industry.

World Ocean's Day, 8th June, is a time to inform and educate on the effects humans have on the ocean and promote the steps towards sustainable management. “A lot of the time our seas are out of sight and out of mind. Now people care a lot more about the ocean because they know what's out there”, Dan expresses. On this day we hear from Dan and Nadia Laabs, SafetyNet’s COO, to learn about their work since winning the James Dyson Award and what the future of sustainable fishing looks like.

Read more on the Dyson newsroom.