Evaluating the efficiency of vacuum fish pump systems in commercial purse seine fisheries

The modernization of fisheries is critical for optimizing efficiency and sustaining national food security. While fish pump technology offers a mechanized alternative to labour-intensive brailing, empirical evaluation within developing commercial vessels remains limited. This study evaluates the operational, economic and perceptive impacts of integrating fish pumps among purse seine vessels in Sabah, Malaysia. Data from 17 commercial vessels (13 pump-integrated, 4 conventional) were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods. Results demonstrate that pump-integrated vessels achieved a mean Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) of 330 kg/min, significantly outperforming conventional methods 75 kg/min. The 305 mm (12-inch) diameter pump emerged as the optimal configuration, balancing high-volume throughput (90–140 tons/hour) with the preservation of good catch quality. Furthermore, pump-equipped vessels generated three to four times the monthly gross profit and yielded single-operation catches ranging from 666 kg to 150,000 kg, drastically outperforming traditional methods. Notably, operators exclusively routed these yields to domestic supply chains (100% to processing facilities and wholesale markets), reinforcing local food security. Despite operational challenges, primarily equipment malfunctions reported by 61.5% of respondents, integrating fish pump technology represents a commercially lucrative modernization pathway. Addressing current mechanical vulnerabilities is essential to maximize fisher productivity, reduce manual labour dependency, and ensure the sustainable advancement of the commercial fishing industry.