Gear efficiency

It is important that all fishing gears are operated in a safe manner, with maximum efficiency to maximise catch value and decrease fuel consumption.

Because of limited quota, days at sea and the rising cost of operating a fishing vessel, fishermen are under increasing pressure to optimise their time at sea. They need to ensure that the gear they have deployed is both as effective and efficient as possible.

Towed gear can be monitored using sophisticated acoustic sensors that send the gear parameters to displays in the wheelhouse. All aspects of the trawl can be assessed from the height of the trawl to the spread of the gear to ensure that the gear is fishing to its optimum. If necessary the skipper can make alterations based on the information the receives.

It is also important to use the correct designed gear for the target fishery. Using a trawl with too much height and or trawl doors that are too big will only increases the drag of the gear which in turn will make it harder to tow and so fuel costs increase.

Multi rig trawling is one way for a fishing vessel to target a fishery more efficiently provided conditions are suitable. Often towing two smaller trawls results in less drag than towing one large single net. Link to multi rig doc TO COME

Nets, trawl doors, warps etc are constantly being developed to help improve gear efficiency. More efficient trawl doors, smaller, stronger diameter twines, more species specific trawl and net designs are constantly being marketed by manufacturers. 

For further information please contact:

Mike Montgomerie
Gear Technologist
e: m_montgomerie@seafish.co.uk
t: 01472 252327