Well, that’s a simple message.
What message?
Scanmar has made many sensors throughout the years and fishermen have had to deal with new information. This is not always easy, but those who have done so have experienced significant efficiency improvements and cost savings. We are talking about TrawlEye, Trawl Speed, Symmetry, Grid and Distance Sensors. All of these are familiar to most fishermen.
Angle, Angle, Angle and Towing Speed: Why?
Because we at Scanmar are convinced, based on feedback from the fishermen and our own experience, that this is exactly what fishermen want if they want to improve efficiency further (many fishermen believe this is the most important information for effective fishing). We shall briefly explain why:
- Door roll and pitch angle are the main factors for the doors to function as efficiently as possible and have stable movement implying that the sweep and trawl gear ensure that the trawl is fishing optimally. The water speed (and the angle) at which the water meets the doors affects the door angles.
- Symmetry (the angle of the water entering the trawl, which should be 90°) is essential for effective fisheries. Changes in towing speed / underwater currents lead to skewed position.
- The bucket effect in the trawl, belly, intermediate section, and cod end leads to changes in trawl geometry (impact of the angles) leading to open mesh and loss of catch. Changes in water flow in the trawl due to increased towing speed / underwater currents or fish concentrations in the trawl lead to a bucket effect and loss of catch.
- Observations by use of angle sensors have shown that "all" trawls twist in the catching phase as a result of the increase in catch (reduced water flow). This leads to a bucket effect and loss of catch.
The conclusion is: Think Angle, Angle, Angle and Towing Speed!