Stun and Tail System

Optimar introduces the first integrated system for the humane stunning and tailing of nephrops onboard. The concept is developed in close collaboration with Fisheries Innovation & Sustainability (FIS) and key stakeholders in the UK scampi industry. It also won the international innovation award, Catch Welfare Innovation Award 2025. Patent pending

Advantages:

• Integrated and humane stunning before processing
• Winner of the international Innovation Award at the Catch Welfare Platform
• Designed to maximize tail yield (which accounts for 25–30% of the body weight)
• Reduced physical strain and workload for the crew
• Meets the continuously growing expectations for animal welfare and sustainability

The Stun & Tail concept combines controlled stunning with automated tailing in a single system. This provides a far more gentle processing method at sea, while simultaneously improving working conditions for the crew, elevating product quality, and ensuring optimal product quality and utilization of the raw material.

How it works:

The concept has already shown promising results through rigorous trials under real conditions onboard the Northern Irish trawler The Golden Ray. With support from Northern Ireland’s Marine Environment & Fisheries Fund, further development is now underway to scale up both capacity and the level of automation.

With the introduction of Stun & Tail onboard, Optimar is once again contributing to the continued development of a more responsible and efficient fishery.