A Netherlands based company, SaveWave, has just launched a new device that is aimed at keeping dolphins clear of fishing nets. Representatives from the company have stated that this new technology will save the industry time as well as money, and will also save countless dolphins from certain death.
With some dolphin species close to extinction, and ongoing conflict between fishermen and dolphins, the fishing industry is in need of an effective method of keeping dolphins clear of nets. SaveWave is confident that its new Dolphin Saver will solve the problem.
The Dolphin Saver, which was patented by the Dutch company, is now sold internationally by Fishery Supplier, a company dedicated to the marketing of products designed to provide solutions for the fishing industry.
The device is based on the principle of echolocation, which is how dolphins locate fish. It is a highly sophisticated and extremely sensitive system of ultrasonic sound waves, far more accurate than human sight.
The dolphin's system of echolocation cannot be picked up by fish or other marine animals, and thus scientists recognized an opportunity to develop some type of method, based on echolocation, that will affect dolphins only.
The Dolphin Saver was thus developed, which creates a field of special sound waves around nets which effectively blocks echolocation, by placing small transmitters on the nets which contain microchips. It is easily attached using a floating line at a maximum distance of 200 meters. As soon as the transmitter touches the water it begins to emit a signal, and will stop as soon as it is removed from the water.
Each Dolphin Saver creates a safe area of about 150 m, which is dolphin free, and can be used at depths of hundreds of meters.
The new system has been extensively tested and has been piloted in Greece. In both this location and other places such as the Mediterranean, dolphins are a big threat to a fisherman's income. According to a press statement released by the company, the Greek fishermen that used the product gave a very good report of their experience.
It is not surprising that dolphins cost fishermen so much money. These mammals are known to steal fish from nets, and damage fishing gear, thus greatly reducing catch levels and increasing production time and costs.
The Dolphin Saver would, however, provide a great benefit to the sector, putting an end to the negative effect each dolphin kill has on the public perception of the fishing industry.
Source: By Gillian Faichnie – Fish Information Services
