Future heroes tackle ghost fishing

Through its project TeineSaver, Sola Passion has demonstrated how creativity, technology, and environmental commitment can be combined in the pursuit of concrete solutions for the ocean. The project participated in the international technology competition FIRST LEGO League Challenge, where the team won three awards in the regional finals – and qualified for the Scandinavian finals in Trondheim.

But the journey there could easily have been halted by financial barriers – until they received a surprise visit.

Investing in Solutions

For the students in Sola Passion, the outlook was bleak for a while: Even with a spot in the finals in their pocket, they lacked the funds to travel to Trondheim. And without help from sponsors, they would not have the opportunity to go. That was until the CEO of the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund, Cecilie Lind, suddenly stood in the classroom. She brought good news - the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund would ensure that Sola Passion made it to the finals, no matter how many sponsors jumped on board:

Watch the film to see how the news was received by the students:

– Ghost fishing is a serious environmental problem we are actively working to combat, and that is precisely why we want to support those who think innovatively and seek solutions. Sola Passion's project is both impressive and inspiring, and we are truly proud to contribute to their ability to travel to the finals with their excellent idea, says Cecilie Lind, CEO of the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund. 
 

From Insight to Idea

Through surveys, interviews with researchers, divers, and fishermen – including from the Institute of Marine Research, the Directorate of Fisheries, and the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund – the students chose to delve into ghost fishing. These are fishing gear items that are lost in the sea and continue to capture and kill marine life long afterward.

The team discovered that recreational fishermen lose the most pots in Southern Norway and therefore developed TeineSaver – a small, waterproof buoy with a sensor attached to the pot, enabling it to be located with a fishfinder. The solution is intended to be affordable, accessible, and sustainable, developed with an understanding of technology, user needs, and environmental impact.

Learn more about ghost fishing: