Ramoen adds QR codes to frozen at sea fish for full traceability

Chippies buying frozen at sea fish from the Norwegian trawler Ramoen can now trace their fish back to the exact time and place it was caught thanks to a new QR code added to the vessel’s cartons.

The move comes as part of Ramoen’s push for transparency and sustainability. By scanning the code, operators can instantly see who caught the fish and where it was landed.

“There are two things our customers want to know: who caught the fish and where it was caught,” said Nils-Ove Giskegjerde, operations manager at Ramoen AS. “To get this information directly to our customers, a QR code was the solution we chose.”

The trawler subscribes to a live link containing the vessel’s position and date at sea. This data feeds directly into Ramoen’s onboard network, which updates its labeling system automatically. 

The QR code, which appears on boxes of cod, haddock and saithe fillets, also links to the company’s website, www.ramoen.no, providing details about its environmental profile, carbon footprint figures and even recipe ideas.

For fish and chip shop owners, the move offers an easy way to demonstrate provenance and sustainability to their customers. Nils-Ove added: “Much of the fish that comes ashore by other vessels is packed and sent to other countries, re-processing. Since we at Ramoen catch and process the fish ourselves onboard – which few fishing vessels are doing today – we want to get this information out to our customers.”

Ramoen is one of Norway’s most advanced factory trawlers. Built in 2016, the vessel operates an average of eight to nine trips a year, each lasting four to five weeks. With a daily processing capacity of 25 tonnes of product, the trawler also produces fishmeal and fish oil from cuttings, ensuring no part of the catch goes to waste.

All fishing is strictly regulated in Norway, with most species quota-controlled to safeguard stocks. Ramoen primarily targets cod, haddock, and saithe, freezing the fillets at sea to preserve freshness.

“Many consumers are concerned about the environment and sustainability,” Nils-Ove added. “We want them to feel confident that when they eat fish from Ramoen, they are eating sustainable fish.”