Fishing methodPelagic fishing activities ('Pelagos'= ocean) by Jaczon are carried out by freezer-trawlers. The target species are small pelagics such as herring, mackerel, horse mackerel, sardinella, blue whiting and silver smelt, which swim together in shoals and often migrate over long distances in the ocean. The shoals of pelagic fish are located with the help of echo-sounding equipment. From the echogram it is possible to estimate the depth and the size of the shoal. The net is towed behind the ship just below the water surface or further down in the water column, not reaching the sea bed.



Pelagic fishing gear is constantly undergoing further improvements to ensure a responsible fishery. Special measures and aides ­ such as large mesh sizes in the front part of the net ­ are being developed to prevent the catch of non desirable species of juvenile fish. Jaczon cooperates closely with biologists and net specialists in a number of research projects.

Our freezer-trawlers fish mainly in European waters such as the North Sea , the waters west and north of Ireland , England , Scotland and in the Bay of Biscay . Two vessels have licenses to fish in West African waters ( Mauritania and Morocco ). They fish in these waters outside the 12-miles zone, 20 up to 60 miles from the coast, mainly for sardinella, sardine and horse mackerel.