Marine fishing cluster diagnostic Study

13.1.
 
TECHNOLOGY
Adequacy of current technology 
Pursuance of technological advances in harvesting of aquatic resources and more generally in fishery 
industry is critically important. Constant technological development in capture fisheries and use of, for 
example, proper fibres, so-called sonar electric equipment for finding fish, satellite-based navigation and 
communication, represents a significant contribution to fishermen success. However, current 
technologies of marine fishing industry are mostly based on traditional methods and can be regarded to 
be obsolete. The companies mainly deploy old, Soviet-era vessels in their operations, most of which are 
outdated and are in need of upgrading. As an example of comparing Georgian and Turkish ships and 
fishery technologies, the respondents mention that the amount captured by Georgian Seiners, in total, 
throughout the season, can be captured by Turkish Seiners in some 16 days. Most of the interviewed 
respondents strive for Turkish technologies, while one interviewed company has adopted secondary 
Dutch technologies and in case of purchasing new vessel, plans to install them on it. 
All fish processing factories reported on having modern technologies within the facilities. Production 
equipment was mentioned to be in good or very good condition. For some facilities, such technological 
advances were made possible through preferential loans of state agricultural programs, while for others 
technological rearrangements have been made possible through reinvestments. 
Access to technology specialist 
The majority of the respondents, both SMFCs and LHCs, employ fishing and fish processing technology 
specialists, responsible for the quality of the final product. Such specialist is employed only within the 
entity and does not normally serve different companies. However, every respondent pointed out the 
significance of regular training by such specialists in line with the technological developments within the 
industry. Neither of them named such cutting-edge technology in educational or VET institutions in 
Georgia. Most of them noted Turkey as the best destination for such education and technological 
advances. 
An interesting approach was described by one of the small-scale marine fishing respondents. This 
company bought an old Seiner from Georgian individual entrepreneur, dismantled and sent the parts to 
Turkey, where, together with his Turkish partner, has founded a joint company; the company is now 
building a new and modern Seiner. The vessel will have a crew of 18 members, out of which initially 10 
will be Turkish and 8 Georgian ones. However, the key point of the strategy is to learn the best practices, 
techniques and new technologies from Turkish specialists on the board, as a kind of practical on-the-job 
training, and gradually substitute Turkish crew with Georgians.