Why The Fishing Industry Thinks Plastic Is Fantastic!

The United Nations Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (FAO) says “fish boxes (for the transportation of fresh fish) made from HD-polyethylene are superior to those made from other materials”. The FAO cites several reasons for favouring plastic fish boxes, including durability; they have an expected lifespan of between five and seven years “when properly handled”.

The FAO also states in an evaluation report that plastic material is “impervious to liquids, which facilitates cleaning and reduces opportunities for bacterial growth”.

It is not surprising then, that the fishing industry is increasingly using plastic boxes, right from the boat to the docks, through to the holding tanks and beyond. Our grandfathers may have sworn by the use of wooden crates, but time marches on and modern technology is pervading the industry. Today, wooden fish boxes are touted as “vintage” memorabilia on eBay, and some resourceful folk artists are even reproducing them as nostalgic reminders of the past.

The fishing industry has embraced the advantages of plastic fish boxes, which are hard to beat when it comes to distribution.

Design is all-important, particularly when it comes to capacity, handling, stackability on pallets, drainage and cleaning. With their smooth plastic surface, fish boxes avoid the hazards of loose nails and splinters, and are easy to open and close. They are also lighter to handle, reducing shipping costs, and are less porous than wood, cardboard or polystyrene, containing melt-water from packing ice and/or seawater added to keep a catch fresh for as long as possible.

Another advantage of plastic fish boxes is the fact that they float well, a distinct benefit for fishermen reliant on dragging their catch to shore.

The stackability of plastic fish boxes is ensured by moulding, making them identical and uniform, taking up as little space as possible on a fishing boat and therefore allowing a bigger yield. Once the catch is loaded into the plastic fish boxes on board, it can stay there until it reaches its destination.

Plastic crates are impervious to bacteria and fungal growth in the short-term, and are easy to clean and re-use, especially with a high-pressure washer. Fish and seafood require the most hygienic conditions possible.

Other advantages of using plastic crates are that they are resistant to weather conditions; let it rain, shine or snow! The plastic fish boxes will withstand temperature variations and moisture levels far better than wood, cardboard or polystyrene.

For more information on different types of fish boxes, you can visit the GW Containers website.

The Importance of Strong Plastic Baskets in the Fishing Industry

44 litre plastic basket

Well-made plastic baskets have a huge variety of uses, but they are very commonly used in the fishing, meat, vegetables and food processing industries. Food items such as fish, fruit and vegetables can be conveniently moved from place to place whilst remaining protected from harm.

Most plastic baskets have a pattern of holes in the side so that air can reach the food, and sturdy handles are a must for transporting large quantities of food as it can be very heavy. Baskets come in many sizes, though a 44 litre plastic basket is commonly used within the fishing industry. The baskets are designed to be easy to stack so as to be easily stored when not in use.

As well as plastic fish baskets, stacking boxes and nest stack boxes are also commonly used in the fishing industry. These can be filled with ice before freshly caught fish are added, helping to keep the fish fresh whilst they are sold at fishing markets. Once a box is emptied of fish, the ice can then be disposed of and the box cleaned out and stacked ready for the next day’s catch.

Some fish may stay in plastic fish boxes in order to be transported. Fish boxes meant exclusively for this purpose can be fitted with a tracking device, so their location can be tracked to ensure that fish arrives at the right destination on time, and the box can then be returned to their owner once they have been used for transportation. To further prevent boxes from being lost or misplaced, they can also be branded.

Fish baskets, for example, a 44 litre plastic basket, must be durable and sturdy, as they can get thrown around at fishing markets, or during transportation. Strong integrated handles help to give baskets a longer span of use, as they will be less likely to break or be damaged when dragged or thrown around, often when stacked or carrying cargo.

In addition to plastic baskets and boxes, buggies are also commonly used at fish markets. Buggies are equipped with wheels, allowing for larger loads of fish to be moved around relatively easily. These buggies usually feature a drainage hole and plug, meaning that they can be easily cleaned and sterilised ready for the next fishing catch that they will transport.

For more information on plastic fish baskets and boxes, look no further than GW Containers, who specialise in baskets boxes and buggies for the fishing industry.

Plastic Containers used in the Food Industry

Strong plastic containers are vital in the food industry and many producers rely on boxes such as these to protect their food items during transportation.  The triple wall design gives the plastic containers extra strength to survive mishaps.  Boxes can be rotated and dumped safely and even if they do get damaged, can be easily repaired.

The boxes that you see in the video are just an example of some of the plastic containers we supply to the food industry, to sectors such as fishing, meat and poultry and food processing.

Please visit our GW Containers website for more information on the containers we supply and what industries and purposes they are best suited for www.gwcontainers.co.uk.