Description
Nowadays, devices available for fishing over floating objects technique (DCP) have problems on biotype discrimination. Moreover, buoys used at the location of the DCPs may contain contaminants or hazardous materials, both for environment and for the safety of fishermen. Because of all these concerns, the main objective of the ECO-FISHING project is to develop a new discriminant buoy equipped with a novel high resolution sonar technology for the fisheries sector and increasing the productivity and profitability of the fleet. This development will also enable maximum savings of fuel, with the consequent environmental benefit in terms of energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction. In addition, a sophisticated tool will be developed to validate the results transmitted by the buoy. The work plan of this project will be distributed in two activities: Development of the buoy using leading-edge sonar technology, and development of controls mechanisms that generate the interface of the knowledge tool of the marine environment.
Summary of project results
Fishing over floating objects technique (DCP) has been the most common practice at a national and international level in the recent years. Devices available for this activity have problems on biotype discrimination under the DCP. Because of these concerns, the primary need to be solved within this project is to develop a new discriminant buoy equipped with a new sonar technology for the fisheries sector which will enable a responsible exploitation of fishery resources, specifically suited to the most demanding parameters of sustainability and in line with the recommendations of the different fisheries management bodies, and increasing in the meantime the productivity and profitability of the fleet. This development will enable maximum savings of fuel, with the consequent environmental benefit in terms of energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction. On the other hand, it is also necessary to develop an ongoing learning tool to validate the estimations made by the buoy measurements.
Summary of bilateral results
SATLINK S.L. has performed the main activities of this project, and the company has benefited from the technological collaboration of SIMRAD TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES. By so doing, close collaboration between Spain and Norway has being performed. As a result, a new echo-sound system with two frequencies has been developed.