A UK-based fishing technology startup already has the backing of restaurant chain Wahaca and processor Young's Seafood, as it appeals to the public for funding.

The crowdfunding campaign will officially launch on May 16, but has already raised £5,204 from backers, it said in a press release.

SafetyNet Technologies aims to disrupt the fishing industry with its user-friendly technology which uses lights to attract and repel fish, thus eliminating by-catch by up to 90%.

"This patented piece of technology the team call Pisces will take fishing to new dimensions and has huge potential to make the fishing industry more sustainable."

"What makes this technology even better is that within just one day, the fishermen will have made their money back due to the extra fish they can now sell."

SafetyNet has already won several awards for its technology, most recently winning at [email protected], and before that the James Dyson Award, Hello Tomorrow and The Observer Ethical Business Award.

The equipment fits onto any fishing net -- about 10-20 are needed for the full effect to take place -- and the color of light is chosen by and controlled by the fishermen.

SafetyNet’s trials with Youngs Seafood and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science have shown that their devices can lower bycatch by up to 60%. This is reinforced by experiments in fisheries the world over, some of which have used light to reduce bycatch by up to 90%, said the startup.

Funded to date by Youngs Seafood, the James Dyson Award, Sir Richard Branson and Eric and Wendy Schmidt, SafetyNet has completed its proof of concept and is now ready to expand into batch production.

This will enable its team, with scientific and industry partners, to explore new trials with other fish species in fisheries around the globe. SafetyNet has created a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo in order to bring Pisces to life and into the hands of fishermen.

"I’ve been working on SafetyNet for eight years and we’ve made some really exciting progress and learned a lot during that time," said Daniel Watson, CEO of SafetyNet.

"We’ve worked hard because we see a real need for this technology, but we couldn’t have done it without our supporters. We’re now asking for one final push to help us bridge the gap between proof of concept and a device that can be used by many more people to accelerate the science and begin having a widespread positive impact."

David Parket, head of CSR and marine biologist for Young's, said the results of this research were very encouraging, and he hopes the industry, government and other organizations will come together to support further trials.

"Having been out on the trawler during the research and having seen the technology in action, I believe this innovation could have a positive impact on the industry and the future of fishing.”