Catchwise in the UK: Building Something That Matters to Skippers

The Scottish fishing industry has never been short of experience. From whitefish and prawns to pelagic fishing, pots, and traps, skippers across the north-east are used to making fast, high-stakes decisions in demanding conditions. Weather, vessel activity, catch history, and fuel costs all play a part in deciding where a vessel goes next. That is exactly the kind of decision-making Catchwise is built to support.

Photo: Ann Elinor Aasen and Ludvig Løddesøl from the Catchwise team at the Scottish Skipper Expo.

A strong response from data-driven skippers

At the Scottish Skipper Expo, Catchwise met skippers from across the UK fishing industry. Many were already using several digital tools in the wheelhouse and came with clear opinions on what works, what slows them down, and what is still missing. For Catchwise, that made the conversations especially valuable.

"They know their grounds, they know their vessels, and they know what information is useful. What they want is a tool that brings the right data together in a way that helps them make better decisions faster," says Ludvig Løddesøl, CFO at Catchwise.

Photo: Ludvig Løddesøl presenting during the Catchwise demo meeting at Scottish Skipper Expo.

Built around the skipper's daily decisions

Catchwise combines AIS and vessel activity, weather and ocean forecasts, and catch history data in one platform. The goal is to help skippers answer a practical question: where should I fish next?

That means showing not only what the weather is doing, but what it is doing in a specific area. It means making historic catch data easier to understand. It means showing vessel activity and fishing patterns in context. And it means including the infrastructure and seabed information that matters in UK waters.

Listening closely in Fraserburgh and Peterhead

The Catchwise team has spent time in Fraserburgh and Peterhead, speaking with skippers in harbour and onboard vessels. The conversations confirmed many of the same themes from the expo. Skippers want tools that are fast, practical, and built around real fishing operations. They want better ways to use their own historic data, reliable vessel information, and weather and sea conditions in the same place as their fishing areas. And they want tools that work both in the wheelhouse and on mobile.

Photo: CTO Jonas Dammen visiting skippers in Peterhead.

"When speaking with skippers in Scotland, what stands out most is how open and constructive the conversations are," says Løddesøl. "Skippers are generous with their time and very direct with their feedback. That kind of input is exactly what helps us keep improving the product."

The north-east of Scotland is a natural place for these conversations. With a high concentration of active vessels, experienced skippers, and varied fisheries, Fraserburgh and Peterhead give a clear view of what modern fishing operations need from digital tools.